Friday, April 23, 2010

Earth Day Celebration

“It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.”

This year, the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, my daughter and grandson celebrated by heading to George Bible Park to pick up litter. Armed with a bag, a camera, and backpack, the three of us walked the paths that meander in and out of the woods. We were outside breathing in the fresh air and letting this tiny microcosm of the world fill us with the joy and wonder.

"The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction."
“One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, “What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I’d never see it again?”
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
"Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life."
“If I had the influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.”
"Beginnings are apt to be shadowy..."
"I wanted to make my own mark."

"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter."

I have quoted Rachel Carson exclusively. She wrote the powerful book, Silent Spring in the 60s, but her words ring as true today as ever.

I hope you celebrated Earth Day in your own way and found a moment to consider this magical, wonderful place we call earth. 


7 comments:

  1. Such beautiful photos!
    You and I think alike.
    Happy Earth DAY
    so very lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like you had a beautiful Earth Day! I didn't do anything special that day, but I like to think that I treat every day as Earth Day with my recycling, composting, and energy saving!

    ReplyDelete
  3. What excellent lessons you are teaching your grandson! Lovely post.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ewix...thank you for stopping by. I read your post on Earth Day, too. We are of like mind, indeed!

    MsRobin...We did have a fine time and also try not to leave too much of a footprint behind every day of the year. Like you, we recycle, reuse as much as possible, go the canvas bag route, and make every effort to use as little energy as possible. Thanks for stopping by.

    Hi Pam...It's so good to see you. Teaching the children is a solid step toward appreciating nature. It's also lots of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a priceless gift you are giving your grandson, showing him how to protect the earth and showing him how to observe his beautiful surroundings :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yay.. Happy Earth day..super beautufl post....gorgeous and wonderuflly inspiring!
    Kiki~

    ReplyDelete
  7. Such well-chosen words, and I think that your pictures really do capture the sense of wonder so essential for really seeing and appreciating nature. That first photograph, of the calm landscape of trees and water, is truly wonder-ful.

    ReplyDelete

Treasured comments from treasured friends...