View from the top

Look at all that space. You can see for miles.

I love my front porch. Yes, that's right, it's the view from my front porch. I must admit, quite amazing isn't it? We have a bit of property too. If you look closely to the right of the photo, you'll see Elijah and AJ playing with one of their friends. Sitting here, I truly feel blessed that my boys have so much room to play and I have the perfect place to sit, watch them, and absorb the view.

We have a front porch swing, but there is something about sitting on the step that lets me feel closer to the world. When my best friend lived in town, we used to sit on the step together and chat forever while the kids ran around playing. Alas, times change, life changes, and although the seat next to me on the step is quite lonely, I've been forced to find ways to fill the void.

Spring is here - FINALLY - so our new routine is after naps the boys will go out to play and burn off their energy while I sit on the step or the porch and read. I'll read for my class or read for pleasure. I like to read, so either way, I'm usually enjoying myself. The sun shines down on us; there is a light breeze rustling the pages, and as I look at the vastness of land out in front of me, I realize how small of a person I really am! Nature amazes me.

Today, I was reading Preface to Lyrical Ballads from William Wordsworth (poet) while sitting on the step. This line stood out to me:

"For the human mind is capable of being excited without the application of gross and violent stimulants..."

It strikes me. It sparks a chain reaction of thoughts in my mind... he is so right. I look at the view in front of me and am overwhelmed with the beauty around us. My beautiful little boys (handful that they are, but sweet and beautiful), the beauty in nature, the beauty God creates for us is everywhere. I am excited looking outside, and as Wordsworth says, I don't need "gross and violet stimulants." Think of what is on television and movies, how much is overtly violent? I've lost count how many crime shows are on prime time television. I hope to counteract the gratuitous violence for myself and family!

I certainly am not perfect, but I'll continue to try and surround ourselves with the beauty in the world around us, in nature, beauty in God, in our faith, and beauty in works of literature and poetry.

What more appropriate than to leave this post with a poem from William Wordsworth...

Composed Upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

Earth has not anything to show more fair:

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:

This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

Never did sun more beautifully steep

In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;

Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at his own sweet will:

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;

And all that mighty heart is lying still!

http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15877