A world of wonder awaits us. Would you walk with me?
I want to share with you part of a storybook I wrote and illustrated during a time of reawakening joy and peace in 2005.
Several tragedies had touched our family that year. For months my soul felt as chilled as the frost on the fields by our river.
I drew and painted for hours, often late into the night. During the day I walked the hills and listened to the wind in the trees. I planted flowers with my grandchildren and played music with native flutes.
In time the bleakness of loss was transformed into awe and gratitude for all life. I began to draw of hope and joy and connection.
This excerpt from the book tells of the deep sense of wonder that began to fill my spirit.
A JOURNEY OF WONDER
(c)sbrink 2016
I know you have felt alone sometimes,
sensing there is beauty there,
waiting for you.
I know you have reached out for love,
yearning to be held,
to be comforted.
I know there are times
when you have felt alone in a fog,
even when someone was there with you.
I know,
because I have felt that way too.
But I’ve had a glimpse of hope and beauty so intense
that I want to share it with you.
Will you take my hand?
I would be honored to walk through life with you.
After all, journeys are better
when shared with someone special.
Together we can share the magic
of a starry night
when all the world is filled with wonder.
Together we can reach higher
than we ever dreamed.
We can dance and laugh
to the music of the wind . . .
and find friendship and comfort
in the moonlight.
We can find peace as we watch a river
winding its way home
and breathe in hope and joy
as we feel the mist of
a new dawning day.
When the path ahead becomes rugged
. . . and it will more than once . . .
we will take turns lifting each other up.
When we need to cry
or our faith is weak,
we will feel each other’s presence,
even when we are miles apart.
I do not know where this journey will lead us,
but we need not be afraid.
We will be together.
Take my hand.
A world of wonder awaits us.
* * * * *
(c)sbrink 2016 all right reserved.
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A Brand new day comes with each new sunrise
My husband Bruce died in April 2005. A month later I took a solo road trip across the country, healing myself with the rugged beauty of the west. This video features photos from that healing trip of awe and beauty.
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Such beautiful photos, what an awesome world we live in. I have been to a few of those places. Crater Lake is my most favorite place. And thank you for sharing your story book. You are a very gifted artist!
the rugged beauty feels our souls , yes? Thank for your feedback and comments.
Shaun
I have would have liked to have heard you sing the song
A Brand New Day. The phrase is a required mantra. Your art is swirled with emotion. Your words infused with hope born of pain. Thank you for sharing what you do. In so doing, you gift us new day.
thank you dear charly. That means much coming from you for you have walked life’s road with such vigor and grace that you are one of my role models.
You put your heart and soul out there—and for that, I say, “Thank you.”
I say, “Thank you,” because I’m still struggling to overcome the trauma of being on campus during UCC shooting.
Reading your words, seeing your art, just what I needed on a day such as this.
Dear Cindy, I carry you and all of my neighbors in Douglas County, Oregon in my heart. That day at UCC is gone from the news but not from my memory or my caring.
So little time has passed so the events of this fall are clear and sad and probably still sort of surreal for all of you. I know those of us who were not there but are connected to UCC feel off balanced so I imagine your view of the world must be so much more shaky.
What I do know is that there is an “after.” It has been four years since my son Robin was killed by a disturbed man. I still grieve the loss of my son and still have flashes of the shock at the unexpected violence. But each day there is the returning of beauty and wonder.
I work hard at staying in the present moment. I work hard at intentionally focusing on beauty and on the smallest flower.
I wish for you many moments of beauty and the peace of acceptance and the warmth of connection to others.
Heartfelt joy to you
shaun