With the frigid frosty winter winds in full effect, my wife and I decided late last night to look back fondly on fun family memories from warmer, brighter days. Today I wanted to share some of the brightest gems, which brought me such joy, with you here today, I hope you enjoy.
http://abbotsfordtulipfestival.ca/
This collection is all from April 2017, when Hazel was 3 years old, and Lumina was still only one. We are walking through the Abbotsford Tulip Festival which is an annual wonder in my neighborhood. On this particular day, we were enjoying the perennial beauty of BC, with my mother, and step-father, my wife and the kids.
The tulips displayed at this site are simply stunning, and it is far lovelier than these few photos can convey. If you ever have the chance to visit this site, during the festival, please do so.
Life's Tough: Run Toward Joy & Seek Beauty
One of my dearest memories of this event is the obvious joy it brought my two daughters, and its clear even looking back on these photos. There is something about natural beauty, watching a camp-fire burn, or ocean waves crash along the shore, or even the brilliant array of colourful flowers the earth offers, such things almost universally speak to us. It is my opinion that such things point us to the goodness of life, and the reality of beauty, reminding us that life is not all darkness and disappointment, and if only for a season, a day, or an hour, we can stop, breathe and be refreshed if only we seek beauty in our lives.
Run toward beauty, love and life, hold fast to those dearest and celebrate joy today, because tomorrow is not promised anyone.
Children offer the same reassurance, that not all in this world is dark. Their smiles, their exuberance, their excitement, and sincerity, are so obvious and exposed, they do not hold back, or hide their hearts, rather they jump feet first into joy, showing their love and contentment, vulnerable yet confident.
I think we can all learn a lot from that. To be honest about what offers us joy, admitting our love and excitement, instead of denying ourselves for fear of rejection and embarrassment, how much might that improve each of our lives?
Perhaps this is why Jesus said that to enter the kingdom of heaven we must be as children.
Matthew 18:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
"3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
As always guys, thank you so much for your time and attention, I hope and pray you have an amazing day, and a happy new year. God bless you and yours!