We recently returned from a wonderful family vacation to the thriving metropolis of Marysvale, Utah, population....maybe 300. This is an amazing town filled with deep rooted history of mining, religion and the Bertelsen family.
We went with a group of family and friends, about 15 in all, and enjoyed amazing rides on the 4-wheelers, great food and fun conversation. It was on one of these rides that I found myself thinking, "That is the most beautiful.....". After thinking this so many times I wondered how one could really express the word 'beautiful' so that someone else feels in their heart and soul what you feel.
William Shakespeare said..."Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Was he totally correct? Can I look at something that, to me, is utterly gorgeous and to you is merely average? Is there beauty in everything? Really, everything?
As I was able to putter my way slowly through more than 100 miles of the Paiute Trail I found myself cresting a hill and seeing such an extraordinary scene that I would stop my machine, pull the camera out of the protective case, take several shots and just hope that I had captured through the lens, what my eyes and heart and mind had experienced in that one moment.
Feeling confident that I had, I would continue on down the trail only to be stopped again at another sight that seemed to be competing for my vote on "Most Beautiful".
If that wasn't enough to keep my mind busy, I found that the actual 'smell' of sunburnt leaves and dusty trail was beautiful! Un-scarred white bark on an aspen tree, one vibrant oak with shimmering red leaves in the midst of lush green pines, the sun glistening on golden aspen leaves. Could anything be more beautiful?
My senses would not give my mind a rest. Soon I was listening to the water rushing over rocks and cascading into a river. The sound was calming. The scene was peaceful. What was the most beautiful thing?
Upon our return to camp I found beauty in other things..... our friends children, Claire giggling and Nate roasting marshmallows or asking if we could go through "Roller Coaster Alley" again, seeing Dani and Bryn enjoying each others company on a camping trip they yearned for. Having Ralph and Cher, Rob and Karen and Todd and Anna see Marysvale through our eyes. Even Cher's gourmet carrot-cake pancakes that never could cook all the way were beautiful!
Needless to say, I haven't discovered or defined beautiful. I am, however, so blessed to live in such a place that I am inspired to continue searching, knowing full well, that it is one thing and everything.Please let me know what your definition of beautiful is........
2 comments:
You know I have had the same feelings. Every night I pray that we can acknowledge all the beautiful things that God has created for us. Your pictures were gorgeous! Beautiful to me is having all my family over in the family room and the grandkids are dancing and putting on a show for us. I look around at all my kids and grandkids and hubby and know that I am truley blessed. That's what beautiful is to me.
Love you!!
That was such a fun trip! It was so great to spend time with you guys. Thanks for sharing Marysvale with us-can't wait to go back!
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