“We must always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder,” E.B. White. I don’t know about you but on many of my days, the “wonder” I experience, is wondering how I’m going to get everything done. In the middle of all that “busy,” I have decided to make room for wonder.
Dictionary.com definition of wonder:
To think or speculate curiously
To be filled with admiration, amazement or awe; marvel
Let me share three places I’ve found wonder lately.
Music
Last Thursday, my morning music was the album “Stardust” by Willie Nelson. This trip down memory lane took me back to when I was 10 years old. My parents bought the album and practically played it on repeat. In his rendition, Willie transports me to a time before I understood how confusing the world could be. At this time, I was in 5thgrade. We lived in the new house my parents built. They were still married…to each other. My little brother and I played day in and day out with all the neighborhood kids. Life was good. My world was small and safe. And this album was part of that soundtrack. I loved going back in time for that brief moment.
Books
Earlier this week, I finished “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger. Set mostly in 1932, it’s a book about 4 vagabonds who escape from their miserable boarding school and their ensuing adventures in their quest for home and family. It was very much like a Mark Twain novel, as the kids go from one adventure or mishap or near miss to the next. This delightful, beautifully written story provided hours of wonder for me.
Nature
I love trees. Really I do. But I don’t love the towering fir trees in my yard, more specifically the ones in my neighbors’ yards that mostly block my view of the sunset over the Olympic mountains. But the other night, we were out walking. As we approached our house, the sun was setting. And it was glorious: oranges going to pinks, color bouncing off the clouds. Even through the trees.
Where have you encountered wonder lately? I’d love to hear from you. You can find me at khoots at wizardofads dot com
