Taking a Walk

My favorite part of the day is during sunrise and sunset - that's when my dogs and I go for a walk. I always look forward to waking up early in the morning to admire the sky of scarlet hue.

This week's Sunday Sharing topic is 'Taking a Walk' - which aptly describes my daily morning routine - a routine and I look forward to and love doing. It's not routine in the strictest sense of the word - since every morning tells a different story - the sky paints a different picture everyday - and the birds sing different songs each morning - and it's trully a blessing to be able to participate in the symphony of nature every morning just before starting my day. I am even more blessed since I am accompanied by my wonderful dogs - they are more interested in sniffing the 'trace' left by other dogs - and I am more interested in being absorbed in the beautiful morning sceneries and the chirpings of the birds and the gentle breeze.

When I leave the house for a walk, I witness the moon and the stars in the sky give way to the sun and the sun with its warmth and beauty covers the heart with all it can hold. It's a gift to stand and watch the magic of that glowing neon face appearing majestically from the space - that's the joy that fills me during my morning walks. I never get tired of seeing the amazing variations of light and cloud cover the sun and sky display. I count my blessing for the wonderful experience that I look forward to each morning.

Taking a walk enables me to spend some quiet moment alone - to reflect on things - and to appreciate the beauty of nature that God has bestowed on us. It's a shame to overlook the beauty of God's perfect creation in the name of work/chores. Just stopping and admiring the beautiful canvas of nature is invigorating - both to the mind and the soul. It's as if I've moved to a different plane of existence whenever I gaze at the sky.

My Father’s Hands

A few days back I received an email from Hillary (Cheng Leng as I know her) regarding a brilliant idea on 'Sunday Sharing' carnival. It's for anyone to share their thoughts/feelings about a subject matter - this week's title being "My Father's Hand". When I read the topic, I knew that I have infinite things to talk about my father.

- My father's hands are sinewy but which radiates warmth and a sense of security in me when he holds mine guiding me along the miraculous path of life.

- His hands feeding us when we were small.

- His hands have guided me along the path of learning - inculcating the value of education in me and I owe him for all that I have achieved till this day.

- His hands always moving animately to teach and impress us by frequent admonitions.

- His hands holding an Atlas when we quiz him on some places on earth.

- As a kid, I remember that when my father's hand is not holding mine, it will be hugging my mom; or at other times reaching for the sweets :)

- I know better not to provoke him because I have seen his temper a few times - his hands laying flat on my cheek - but I know he did that for my own good - and I remember his hands holding and calming me down afterwards.

My father has taught me to always treat anyone with love and respect even if they have hurt you. At times I can be rebellious - and he is the only person able to calm me down. His deep interest in spirituality and moral values have deeply rooted in me.

I hope that my life itself is a message to my father that I'm living a blessed, happy and blissful life because of him and his teachings. And his hands will soon give me away on my wedding day; and I can picture his hands cuddling his grandchildren with him beaming in pride.

When my father comes back from the store, as a kid I remember running out to him to see what he has bought for me. As a grown-up lady now, I know that my father is truly a rich man - not in material possessions (he is always a simple person) - but a rich man whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.