This painting is of Mount Hood from the Willamette valley of western Oregon. On clear days, this mountain delighted our view as it stood over 11, 200 feet above sea level, 10,800 feet higher than our mountain slope farm. This frequent sight along with many other beautiful scenes has instilled within me a sense of wonder and awe for the beauties of this earth.
I Wonder
By Allen S Vester
The words “I wonder” sing a pleasant tune
A melody of hatching thoughts
Of hope, reborn midst hate and ruin
And start each quest for knowledge sought
From winds and stars and shining moon.
What child has been that hasn’t brought
The question of “I wonder whom
Did make the mounts where snow is caught
And wove the stars on heaven’s loom?”
To elder’s knee for wiser thought.
I wonder whom.
Cultivating a sense of wonder
When you gaze at a starry sky do you feel a sense of wonder? Sometimes, does it seem as if you are viewing those stars for the very first time as you marvel at vastness and beauty of the night sky. Similar experiences can be had while admiring a garden of spring-time flowers after a long winter. Most of us are deeply moved by the grandeur of a mighty mountain, or a vast colorful canyon. Nearly every mother gazes with loving wonder into the face of her new born child. Such a sense of wonder embodies a deep appreciation for the sights and experiences of life coupled with a desire to learn more and become better because of those experiences.
Children normally have an abundant sense of wonder that drives their thirst to learn and grown. Happy is the person who can gain wisdom from advancing years, yet still retain the wonderment of youth. We can be older and yet remember our own wonder as we see the thrilled expression on the face of a child experiencing a butterfly up close for the first time.
How do we do it?
We can choose to look forward to a future filled with new experiences that will help us to grow. We can cultivate the child-like wonder of our youth by being grateful. By choosing to be grateful for all that is beautiful, uplifting, and inspiring, we choose to focus on life’s best moments. Feeling gratitude for the marvels of creations is also an expression love for the Creator of the wonders that surround us day by day.
With a sense of wonder, we can stay young at heart, and even remain positive in a cynical and challenging world.
