I love this picture from Gatlinburg. Several years ago, we drove to the Smoky Mountains and stayed in one of the rentals for several days and visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I revisit that time through the photos I took even though I’ve since upgraded from the point and shoot which took this picture.
Water and rocks. Water over and through and under large rocks and Time – lots and lots of Time – smooth the rough edges and eventually big rocks become little rocks. And the water. The water ripplin’ over the rocks create a gurgling, bubbly water song. Time seems to stand still and only the water song is heard. The occasional bird chimes in with sweet counterpoint.
I walk along the stream the trees and brush impede my path. I step into the stream and continue. I timidly step on a rock and then a boulder having faith in the course. Where is this going? Where will it take me? I focus on my footing which causes me to slow my pace. I’m glad I slowed. I might have missed the small fish darting in the pools, the white butterflies flittering atop the water and the sparkling rose quartz rock glistening in the sunlight.
I stop completely and simply breathe. Breathe in the earthy, loamy smell of forest primeval and refreshing, renewing stream waters. It reminds me of the first lines of Longfellow’s Evangeline poem.
“THIS is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.
I believed in the stream’s course. I followed and it led me to you, God, to your Creation you said was good. Indeed, all of Creation, including the stream, is good. Follow the stream. Have faith in its course.
Blessings,
Christy