Friday, July 03, 2009

Friday Photo Shootout - Celebration of Life

Links to many Friday Shootout blogs are here.

This week, there has been a lot to celebrate. Here on Vancouver Island, the weather has been fabulous, and I've been able to have daily walks at least an hour in length. I've come to love these walks. I can hardly wait to get moving, and I am always aware of how fortunate I am to be able to do that - able to walk, and also able to feel enthusiastic about it.

Earlier in the week, we drove to Roberts Memorial Park, south of town, and we walked down to the water.
The ferns along the path were lush, and the forest seemed to quiver with life.

When we reached the water, a dozen or so other people were there, along with half a dozen dogs. I took this picture of two dogs
who were obviously celebrating their lives, enjoying every second.

Yesterday, the sun was shining again, and we decided to drive half an hour north, to Parksville, which has a lovely beach. The beach was full of kids digging in the sand, there were kites flying, and people were swimming. We hadn't had the sense to bring our bathing suits, so we didn't go in, but we enjoyed watching the folks who did - and I got to sit in the sun and read my book - the best treat.


Today, I will be taking part in another Celebration of Life. This is one I would rather not be attending. In the old days, we would have called it a memorial service or, before that, a funeral. We will be celebrating the life of a man whom I didn't know at all well - only to say hello and exchange pleasantries now and then. He was just my age, and he died last week. This makes me all the more aware of how precious life is, and how brief.

I can't leave you on that note, so here is a song to draw this post to a close:

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sandra, your pictures always make me homesick for the west coast! I love the rain forest and the ocean - that is where I find my serenity. So now, I live vicariously through your pictures.
We played Louis Armstrongs Wonderful Life at my Dad's memorial, because it fit so well with how my Dad viewed life! A true celebration!

Kerri said...

Ahh the Ocean! I'm with Audrey - I'd love to be on the westcoast.

Sandra Leigh said...

Good morning, Audrey and Kerri. I wish I could bottle these days, then release them in mid-winter, when we're usually feeling sorry for ourselves.

Unknown said...

Lovely pictures--they do make me miss the coast, too. So good you enjoy your walking; & you're right, we all get reminders that we need to carpe diem. Love "It's a Wonderful World."

GingerV said...

welcome to the shoot out gang, I may be running behind and I need to go back and look at your previous blog entries. now I am following so I wont miss any more... I liked the louis armstrong audio - good touch.

Kerry said...

My favorite song. I love the beaches and fern-filled forests of the northwest. And there is nothing like a couple of dogs frolicking in the sand!

Sandra Leigh said...

Kerry, the little dog (a puppy of oddly mixed ancestry) was determined to play with the big kids,and he was hilarious.

Debbie said...

You do always have the best photos! I'm glad the weather has been cooperating.

Diane said...

Many good thoughts from your post. Good reminders!

Zaroga said...

A great post with wonderful photos! I love the song.

Grace Albaugh said...

Lovely pictures. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on our theme.

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