With the unseasonal warm weather for mid-March in the west of England, I was excited to be out in the garden. Due to a recent operation there were so many tasks left undone, and I was keen to get moving. Spring wasn’t going to wait for anyone!
Alas, about an hour later, I felt the familiar pain which was my body telling me to rest… or else I would suffer for the next few days. Feeling rather disappointed, I plonked myself in a garden chair, elevated my leg, pulled a warm throw over my lap and prepared to wait out my rest period, the last thing I wanted to do.
Only Something Beautiful Happened…
While I sat snuggled on the chair, a bright red Robin made its way over to me. Each hop a little closer, each move a little bolder. We looked at each other, him almost close enough to touch, me not daring to move. He cocked his head to one side, all the while singing a delightful song. We both stayed still for some time, and I like to think he gave me a cheeky wink before flying off. 🙂
As I watched him, I became aware of all the other bird song, each one merrily tweeting away – calling to family and friends, warning of any danger, maybe letting them know where the best food was. A little community all of their own.
Though we are some distance from the sea, there is a large reservoir close by which attracts many seagulls. Each calling in their own desperate, piercing cry. You can just imagine them calling ‘Feed me, Now!’ I love how bossy they are. 🙂
Though the day was warm, the clouds swept over the sun, sending brief shivers through me, before just moments later, another burst of heat warmed my grateful body, and I sank lazily into the cushions, enjoying my enforced break.
The Sound of Springtime
Just down the lane, the children were in the school playground, and I could hear shrieks of laughter, and the ever present sound of the football being kicked across the pitch. Soon it would be home time, with parents eager to hear about the day’s events and lots of hugs and kisses for mums and dads. How fast these times go! Some of my happiest memories! 🙂
A little further away, I could hear the newborn lambs in the field, and the sound of farmers in their tractors trundling up and down the fields. Could there be a more idyllic backdrop to spring?
The solar water feature was shooting up little fountains, and the sound of them trickling turned my head. What a delightful scene unfolded as a tiny blue tit danced at the edge of the water, its wings fluttering so as to be thoroughly clean. 🙂
I sat in my chair taking in everything around me – the washing gently flapping in the breeze, the birds soaring overhead, the children laughing in the school yard, the farmers driving their tractors, the lambs playing in the fields – and I realised just how very lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place.
Finding My Place
As a relatively new inhabitant of the village, this place truly warms my heart. Wherever I go, people stop and say hello, the post lady calls me by my name, the garage drops me off when they service my car. I have a handyman who lives close by, who is happy to change my high lightbulbs or put up a shelf, sometimes without even wishing to charge.
My rest period was almost over but my 30 minutes had recharged me, not only physically, but emotionally. It reminded me of all the things that are really important to me… most of them free. We can get so caught up in what needs to be done, that we forget to just sit back and enjoy it.
As I got up to resume my work, a dark cloud was on the horizon and rain was on its way. Instead of feeling frustrated, I packed my things away for another day.
I took myself inside, made a nice cup of tea and cut a slice of homemade fruit cake. Then gently sank into the armchair by the fireside. Looks like I am in for another beautiful 30 minutes.
Well, there’s always tomorrow! 🙂
Join the Conversation:
Do you take time to enjoy your surroundings? What do you like to notice? How does nature make you feel? What makes you stop and notice the beauty around you?
