Transient

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by Lisa

In the presence of eternity, the mountains are as transient as the clouds.  

Robert Green Ingersoll

I don’t know about you but the question “what do you want for your birthday/Christmas/Mother’s Day?” always makes me a little uncomfortable.  I know the asker means well but I don’t like telling people they have to give me something and then there’s the chance that my lack of an answer means I might be a little disappointed on the big day when I receive a gift that comes from a place of love but isn’t really something I want or need.   Third world problems indeed…

As a way around this I’ve started asking for things I know John and Ryan won’t say no to if I present it as my gift.  Things like waking up at 6am on a Sunday morning so we can hike to a quiet riverbank for lunch.

This year I tried to think of an object they could give me but what I truly wanted was quiet.  A peaceful stretch of time away from noise, news, social media, politics, bills; you name it, I wanted a break.  We can’t leave home for a big trip now but I do have a list of hikes I want to try this summer and this one along the Stillaguamish River looked like a good way to start the season.  Sure enough, an hour down the trail I asked everyone to stop and we stood together in the forest unable to hear a single man-made sound.  It was wonderful.

So, how do I tie this experience into a post about transience?  By using the quote above and substituting a few words to match current experiences.   For me the day served as a reminder that in the presence of nature external pressures fade away.  We made it to the river in time to eat our picnic lunch and enjoy this pretty little cairn on the beach.  Mini mountains tumbled to smoothness by time, preparing for their next adventure.

Posted as part of the Weekly Photo Challenge:  Transient.

 

Published by

Lisa

17 thoughts on “Transient”

    1. Thank you and I’m so happy to hear you’ve enjoyed the photo and post! It’s really important to remember short breaks have as much value as long get-aways. They’re just different.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I love this quote and your photo. We recently took a trip back to the Midwest, and although it was not entirely a back-to-nature experience, it was wonderful to get away and not focus on the everyday noise that occupies our consciousness. Happy summer to you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Happy summer to you too, D’Arcy! It feels like the season has really arrived today, now I’m off to find fans for tomorrow… I’m glad you had a nice get-away !

      Like

  5. We do build our own pressures from running around as a working mum, trying to make it all fit, Lisa. It’s good to take time out to just BE together. Time goes so swiftly. I love the photo. 🙂 🙂 Happy and unstressed Sunday!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Wrote an essay called “The Quiet.” Hasn’t found a home yet, but I’ll keep trying. Stood in the driveway last night, late. Watched the brilliant sky and the highway was quiet. Only sound was the ocean. What a blessing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Sounds lovely, Jim. Standing outside at night listening to the trees and/or water is one of my very favorite things to do. In fact whenever we’re in the San Juan Islands I go for a night walk every evening just to relax and enjoy the sounds with out distraction.

      Like

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