Song Bird Morning

I've been thinking about my Dad today. His mother, my grandmother G, too. They both had Alzheimer's Disease. Dad has been gone since November 2006, and Grandma since October 1989. In the future, I'll share what prompted my thoughts.
Last Christmas, I shared a special story of how God comforted me at the time Dad needed to go live in a care facility. You can read it here.
I told of having a sleepless night after we took Dad to the facility and rising at first light to go outside with my camera. This is another story of encouragement from that time.

I was at the farm I grew up on. The pre-dawn rural landscape was beautiful. The cheerful song of a bird drew me away from the house and down the gravel road. I finally spotted the bird in the shrubs that grew along the fence line of a soybean field. The sky was rich with color. My heart swelled as I took pictures of that beautiful singer. God reminded me that day, every day, is a day He made. Regardless of the circumstances, He is worthy of praise. Though my heart was breaking that Dad was separated from his wife, his home & all that was familiar, I could still find joy. While taking time to enjoy God's creation and praising Him, thanking Him, I was given the gift of joy.

This picture reminds me of that gift.

Little Signs of Autumn

Never mind that temperatures are still in the 80's and 90's, the first signs of Autumn are out there. If you have allergies or hay fever, all you have to do is breathe to know the season.

What struck me was observing the sudden touches of golden yellow in the lush green soy bean fields. Now I know that every day the visual palette will change until the soy bean plants are shades of tan, brown and russett. Then comes the harvest. I know it's inevitable. "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven- A time to give birth and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

This is the imagery that helped me last November when Dad lay in a hospital bed, gravely ill. He was a farmer and his body showed all the signs that "harvest" was near. It helped me let go, Dad's time with us was nearly over. God was calling him Home. Now, when the seasons are changing, I'm thinking of Dad's last days in the hospital with my family.

I've been reminded that Dad influenced my interest and appreciation of nature. He shared his love for God and His creation with his children. Those are gifts I am very grateful for.

Today's pic is a group of pears I shot around this time last year. They're another sign of the changing seasons. One of these days they will be the subject of at least one painting.