Saturday, October 18, 2008

"In the Distance..."

...are the Maroon Bells....
in Aspen, Colorado...definitely, "God's Country".
I have hiked here several times...
each time feeling like the day was spent in heaven.
I have buckets of photos recording their splendor.
This is my only painting of them...made in 2006
in one of my very first watercolor journals...
long before "Water Blossoms" was even a "twinkle in my eye."
My mind is indelibly seared with their awesome natural beauty...
even though great distance separates us.

"Somewhere we know
that without silence words lose their meaning,
that without listening speaking no longer heals,
that without distance closeness cannot cure."
~Henri Nouwen

Distance of the heart:
Missing those we love...their kiss, their smile, their touch...
Mental distance...
Trying to remember faces, and names, and everyday events...
Distance of times past:
Reminiscing about cozy family gatherings
or
the twinkling of a young child's eyes on Christmas morn...
Distance of Perception:
Wondering what is reality and what is fiction.
Distance...just all by itself...is it
the deal breaker of relationships
or
the thing that makes them grow fonder?

I often wonder.

10 comments:

Tiglizzyclone said...

I like your watercolor mountains, trees and lake. Also the quote from Henri Nouwen.
Leslie

kazumiwannabe said...

Depends on the glasses you choose to put on, I think. Your painting of the mountains is wonderful!

Genine said...

this is georgous!!

sandy said...

The colors in this are gorgeous. I LOVE the colors. Always great to read what you write too.

Teri said...

Your commentary is as beautiful as your painting!!

Linda said...

What a beautiful post -- the art AND the writing. I love visiting here!
:-)

seesue said...

Awesome. The painting..the words.. Simply awesome.

Timaree said...

It seems as if you are very homesick for some mountains, trees and just a different habitat right now. I see that you have always loved these bright clear colors even before your "Water Blossoms" took hold. I enjoyed seeing your trees and mountains.

Lisa at Greenbow said...

I love to be in the mountains too. I have been to several mountainous regions and I am never disappointed in the beauty. There is a "feel" about that habitat that makes me feel uplifted.

Margaret Ann said...

Thanks All...these mountains feel like they are part of my soul...I just love them!