This morning before walking I read a little from book on prayer, a chapter in Psalms, and a chapter from a book by Eleanor Roosevelt. I woke up before dawn today, perhaps in anticipation of Monday when Spring break ends and the daily grind begins anew. Those 5:25 a.m. days are killers! But I digress. What I want to share this morning is that after reading, I went walking, pink iPod shuffle attached to my jacket (it was nippy in SC early this morning). Because of the morning reading and quiet time with God, I felt more in tune with the spirit while walking. I’m pretty much always aware of Him in my life, but this morning’s awareness seemed more poignant and strong.
The first thing I noticed was the whitish fragment of last night’s half moon, and before long I saw and felt the presence of the glorious sun warming the earth. I also spied the puddles in the grassy areas of the track, reminders of the much needed rain that’s drenched our area lately. Ever since I was a small child, I often begun my prayers with a rote repetition that goes something like, “Thank you for the sun and the moon and the stars and the rain,” and I still do that. Even thought it might be repetitious, it’s sincere. I’ve always been thankful for heavenly spheres, sparkles, and sprinkles, perhaps because they serve as reminders that this earth is not all there is.
Depsite the music of the iPod, I could hear my footsteps hitting the hard-packed sand, still strong and unfaltering. Although I couldn’t feel or hear it, I know my heart was beating strongly, pumping the blood and oxygen to my limbs that would enable me to walk/jog the five miles. My lungs were doing their job too, and I couldn’t help but think of my father who suffered from chronic pulmonary disease and congestive heart failure. What a blessing it is to breathe deeply without pain.
I could also hear the birdsong, sweet and melodious. I saw the blue, blue Carolina sky with nary a cloud in the sky. How wonderful to have eyes to see and ears to hear. Speaking of hearing, the music on my iPod is AWESOME. This morning I listened to chants of Gregorian monks 75 percent of the time I was walking, and that contributed to my heightened awareness of God’s beneficence. I must confess that lately I’ve been going through a jazzy blues period, so I tuned into a bit of that too. Hearing Etta James belt out “A Sunday Kind of Love” is grand. I’m so thankful for people with musical talents and for technology that enables me to enjoy it so easily. Now that I have a Blackberry, I can even listen to it on my cell phone.
And the people. What a magnificent thing a human being is! Young, old, short, tall, black, white, and all shades, shapes, and sizes were created by Him, and I got to see quite a variety of specimens at the track this morning.
Then there’s the mind, the human mind, the part of us that sets us apart from Fido and other creatures. As I walked and looked and listened, my mind was filled with the above thoughts and many others. I was able to recall events of long ago as well as recent happenings. Words of wisdom from both parents entered my mind as well as thoughts of my beloved children and grandchildren. Plans, thoughts, ideas, insights, and impressions all come from a two to three pound organ that looks sort of like a cauliflower.
I’m thankful to my Creator for memories, my mind, birds, sun, moon, stars, family, friends, music, health, my fellow (and sister) Earthlings, the ability to read and see and hear, my children, my heart………everything.
mom's musings 
I’ve always been able to tap into that connection with music. (Gregorian monks! Genius.)
But I’ve never felt that connection with nature before though, unless I was in water, until we went to the mountains.
It’s so peace inducing, it bypasses your brain to your soul.
You're truly advanced for your young years. I'm serious!