 |
gratitude and grace
respect and humility
listening and laughter
presence compassion
all blended into the soil
that nourishes our
seeds for lasting love
released sown with shifting winds
undaunted by change
|
On the evening of June 4th,
my husband and I watched Rivers and Tides; a film released in 2009
about artist Andy Goldsworthy and his approach to working
with time as a vital part of his medium. This cinematic work of art is a
visual, philosophical and spiritual journey infused with humility, respect,
gratitude, presence and grace. We don't go out much anymore, pretty much since
2009 when I had a string of MS exacerbations and was finally diagnosed, so we
are a little behind and tend to watch things on Netflix in bed. This was
part of how we celebrated our twenty-fourth wedding anniversary, snuggled,
relaxed, happy. I’ll leave the rest of our celebration to your
imagination.
As we viewed the film,
Goldsworthy's visual language and philosophy seemed increasingly symbolic of
how Gordon and I have made a life together, with humility, respect, gratitude,
presence and grace, as well as compassion, a lot of humor, listening with
all of our senses; essential qualities we have cultivated in our marriage to
grow our love. We are content, not complacent, have learned to appreciate the
blessings of our ever-changing lives as individuals and as partners, as parents
and lovers, as the very best of friends, in health and sickness. We have been
together for more than half our existence on this planet now. I pray with all
my heart for another twenty-four entwined with my beloved.
I am certainly not in
the same league as Andy Goldsworthy when it comes to artistic vision and
expression, still I have a deep appreciation for nature and do my best to
photograph what I see with discerning eyes, observing fragile beauty, birth and
decay, the continuous transformation from one form to another. This is so like
a marriage, we change, circumstances change; this is the nature of all living
things and beings. With every photograph I set my intentions towards humility,
respect, gratitude, presence and grace, the very same qualities that have
nourished our lasting love for these many years.
I love you completely Gord. Thank you for loving me through everything.
haiku my heart at recuerda mi corazon
Hi Laura! Happy Anniversary! Great photos. :). I will have to look for that film. Sounds good!
ReplyDeleteDearest Laura, so nice that you had a happy anniversary, and even nicer that you have a fruitful, nourishing and loving marriage. I think all long marital relationships that remain alive must die and be reborn many times to accommodate the inevitable changes that occur. It's only natural I guess. Glad yours is one of those.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll watch this film. Perhaps a little creativity will rub off on me.
Beautiful photos and poem. Very well said, I will have to make a note.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.. gorgeous images, as always, Laura. Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. May you enjoy many, many more.
ReplyDeleteoh i think you have your own blend of artistic expression which is beautiful...a wonderful eye in the picstures of the magic that is...and i love your verse as well...there is strength there...
ReplyDeletehappy anniversary as well...smiles.
ReplyDeleteOh..this is such a lovely post Laura...I think what we find in our partners when we are challenged with illness is what really shows the kind of person we are with...it doesn't have to be the end..but a loving continuation..I wish you many, many more years....Michelle
ReplyDeleteYour appreciation of nature shines through in these wonderful shots.
ReplyDeleteThis is beyond beautiful!! You are a source of inspiration to me! Xo Olivia
ReplyDeleteLaura, for one I am sorry about the health hiccup. Second, I am a complete homebody so I love the idea of celebrating your 24th anniversary in bed with your honey and a great movie. Happy Anniversary! Thirdly, the photos are absolutely stunning. Lastly, but no less important, I did use my imagination for the rest of your anniversary celebration WOW!!!!!!! (*^_^*)
ReplyDeleteoh laura. i love this post. my husband and i watch Netflix together too, every evening. i think the love you share with your husband is so very beautiful. happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteYour blessings have followed you into the space you have filled. Your words and images are exquisite and heartfelt. You see with your whole heart. Happy anniversary.
ReplyDeleteParabéns pelo seu aniversário de casamento. Que Deus lhe dê saúde e lhes conceda muitos anos felizes juntos. Suas fotos estão muito bonitas!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your anniversary to both of you and thanks for sharing your beautiful images and deep feelings about true love.
ReplyDeleteMay God bless you with more happy years, Laura, so many as you wish in this world and eternal ones with your beloved.
A hug.
:)
Congratulations for celebrating 24 happy years together! That's rather rare these days so very pleasing to hear about.
ReplyDeletegreat shots! :)
ReplyDeleteso glad you have this love to hold you fast...
ReplyDeleteOh Laura. You guys are rare - not just because you've been together for 24 years - but because you have, in just a few words, shared what it takes to keep a deep abiding love strong for so long - through good and bad; sickness and health. You are an inspiration to me, Laura, in so many different ways.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your anniversary. May you have many, many more to come!
This sounds like a really interesting film Laura, and your images here are so very beautiful.
ReplyDeleteGoldsworthy is a great and inspiring artist and his work as you say contains a wonderful philosophy of life
ReplyDeleteI think your creativity is as good as anyones!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are beautiful!
Happy anniveseary!
Thank you for your eyes and your camera.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend!
As always, your images display discernment, appreciation, focus, warmth of heart. Lovely, Laura.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kimnelsonwrites.com/2012/06/07/art-in-some-stanzas/
Great set of photos!Thank you for sharing and have a nice weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Laura,
ReplyDeleteGreat collection of nature study photos celebrating found beautys
This is such a beautiful post, Laura, and it is inspiring to read of the deep love between you & your husband. I love the pictures you chose to share in this post and the messages they speak. Your blog graces me with such encouragment and vision. Thank you. Blessings as you celebrate your anniversary.
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteCaptured so beautifully!
ReplyDeleteHere's my Skyshots.
Happy anniversary;-)nice shots
ReplyDeleteA great post for SWF! Lovely to see the serie of photos!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, congratulations for celebrating 24 happy years together - we have had 26.
ReplyDeleteYour photoes are very very beautiful!
Great pictures you show. Wishing you a good weekend :)
ReplyDeleteVakre bilder og flink fotograf! -Margit-
ReplyDeleteDelicious flowers with beautiful colors. Excellent textures, bright pictures.The first is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteMeget smukke billeder:-)
ReplyDeleteExquisite shots!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, and thank you for sharing! And thank you for your comment on my blogg :)
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, and a nice weekend!
Hugs!
The Haikun is grand, and the photos exquisite, but it is your narrative about your relationship that grabbed me and held me. It made me feel warm and fuzzy. 24 years is a long time for anything. We will be at 41 years married in October. What you told us are some of the same reasons that we are together. Not because we are married, but because we want to be together.
ReplyDeleteMuch Peace sent your way
Lovely post, fantastic photography and thanks for sharing your loving relationship ~ you are blessed ~ namaste, ^_^
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary belated, Laura! May the love keep growing and blooming. We celebrated 12 this year. :o) ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteYour artistic vision and expression always pleases me in a 'she's so damned talented' way....photos and set were awesome....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful haiku and pics.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos - like art ! Thank you for nice comments at my blog :-) Have a good weekend !
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Liva
...beautiful Laura.
ReplyDeleteLovely series...thanks for sharing. have a nice weekend.
ReplyDelete-r1-
Dear Laura, I wept as I read your post. Touched my heart deeply. You have something I have never had.
ReplyDeleteYou are good to the core of your being and blessings surround you and I am sure will continue.
Images beautiful
I love you
Ernestine
awesome images laura, i really love those hearts!!
ReplyDeletethese words touch my heart and my heart will memorize the sentiments. thank you.
ReplyDeletereally lovely pictures. the soft colors give such a peaceful tone.
ReplyDeletei also wanted to thank you for stopping by my POTW. :)
Often I am daunted by change. Hmm...
ReplyDeleteWhispering God’s Name
i wanted to savor you post so i chose wisely to wait until after my day in the studio to return to you. for my patience i have been greatly rewarded.
ReplyDeletethank you for taking the time to express yourself with such candor and affection. i celebrate your love, your life, your way.
Blessings to you both, and thank you for the glorious images, and for the documentary suggestion...
ReplyDelete"....humility, respect, gratitude, presence and grace, the very same qualities that have nourished our lasting love for these many years..." I relate, Laura, although for us it hasn't always been a straight trajectory... yet even in lows the love is - has always been - profound, and, I believe, everlasting. Your photos are a wonderful celebration of light, texture, color... Thanks for introducing me to Andy Goldsworthy.
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful post Laura...I will have to check out Rivers and Tides
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Thanks for lighting my day with your beautiful photos!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! It's so nice to read your beautiful words again, and to know you're well. As Walt and I prepare to celebrate 25 years this summer, I'm inspired by this post, and the love you have with your husband. I know it's not been easy, but you make it sound like the biggest gift possible.
ReplyDeleteSo wonderful photos! I really love them! Have a nice Saturday evening, and nice weekend!:)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have been out of touch, I often stand out on my bluff overlooking the Pacific and breathe prayers of healing into the breeze for you. I hope that you can feel it:) Thank you for the beautiful comments you left me during my difficult time. They mean so much to me and really did help to lead me through. You are truly an angel on this earth, sweet sister of my soul.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to such a beautiful couple! Mazel Tov on 24 years! Sounds like you celebrated in such a perfect way. I will definitely watch the movie that you wrote about. It sounds lovely. And your photos are breathtaking:) I love seeing the world through your eyes.
Be well, dear one. I miss you and hope to be around a lot more often now!
Big healing hugs and lots of love,
Deb
I love the dandelion seed head with the bare place in the shape of a heart--now that is a creative capture for sure!
ReplyDeleteI've got one word: EQUANIMITY!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, simple and so very lovely. I too am inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, we created a Goldsworthy-esque mandala on the beach this past week.
ReplyDeletex..x