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#1: The Sunrise Author: Squirrel, Location: St-Andrews or Dunfermline

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:08 pm
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Inspiration for this came from 2 different times I was out and about to watch the sun rise, and a picture found in the house of a friend.

I was sitting outside, wrapped in a blanket, watching the sun coming up. The hills around me went from shady and black, to having a pink tint on them. I was still very cold, but could see the sun coming, and knew from previous experience that I would at least have the pretence of some kind of heat when the sun hit my face. This was my world, I was alone in it, alone to face the beauty.

No one else ever came here, and I was aware that the visions I saw were not known to any other person. The Sunrise was always my perfect time of day, the time that I knew God most often. I did not know that anyone else could experience such things, and, I did not know yet, that this illusion was going to change. For the moment, however, I was perfectly content to just sit and watch the sun coming up.

The heather was scrunching beneath my feet, and as I looked up to the top of the hills I could see the snow capping them. They never quite lost that covering, even in the heat of the summer. This just increased the magic of this place, this little retreat I sought out each day. My life was a busy one, and filled with people. But here, I could be the only person alive. This was why, despite the loneliness that the others despised, I lived so far away from everyone else.

It was peaceful where I was sitting – occasionally I would hear a bird singing – and the darkness had never really fully come. When winter arrived, all that would change – I wouldn’t be sitting outside with a blanket… In fact, I’d have to move down to join the rest of the world.

Occasionally a young deer bounded past, or a sheep would wander in search of grazing. Then however, my ears heard a young voice coming along the path towards me. In horror I crouched, ready to flee. The beauty of my paradise was about to be broken.

However, something strange happened then, as they came past the brow of the hill. One of the girls pointed at the view and they all hushed. They still spoke, but this time it was more in terms of reverence. Their words carried across to me, and I calmed a little, before standing up, and walking over to join them. It would be wonderful to share this moment with other similar minded people.

No one spoke, they just accepted my presence in the early half light. I knew that questions would come later on – perhaps I would even invite them to join me in my hide away.

They were young, and wore uniforms of brown and flame; eventually I learned that they were the eldest students of a boarding school based in Wales, in a village quite close to where I stayed. I hadn’t known there was a school there, I hadn’t thought to enquire. After that I heard of their branch in Switzerland. Later I was to go for a visit with some of the girls, for a term abroad.

All that was in the future, for now, it was enough to know that there were others who enjoyed the beauty of the sunrise in the hills, to get up early to go and watch it rise, and marvel at the love of God, and how he would choose to create much beauty.

“Of course, it will mean early bed tonight” one of the girls said to me, “but we count it well worth it, and as its part of the half term holiday for us, it’s an extra special treat. Normally we can only come up here during the afternoon. To see the sun actually rise was just amazing.”

With that the party left me, wondering when I would be able to see them again, and to share in their love of life. I certainly came across nothing of the sort at the factory I worked at!

#2: Author: MaryR, Location: Cheshire

Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 3:27 pm
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I will lift up mine eyes to the hills;
From whence comes my help?

Those words sprang so instantly to mind on reading this beautiful piece, Squirrel. One can feel that moment of uplift when God is *present* in all His glory, that moment which makes up for all the hard times in the valleys of life.

And the advent of others into this moment of *grandeur* did not spoil it at all, only enhanced it.

Thank you for sharing.

#3: Author: Cath V-P, Location: Newcastle NSW

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:23 am
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Squirrel, that was lovely, and so very evocative of a time, a place and a mood.

#4: Author: Elder in Ontario, Location: Ontario, Canada

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 12:45 am
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That was such a beautiful word picture, Squirrel - I was sitting on that blanket with you watching the sun come up. All was very 'right' with that world you were seeing, wasn't it?

Mary, that verse came to me, too, especially with the advent of the Chalet school girls. But another one also sprang into my mind: - Pippa's Song, by Robert Browning:

The year's at the spring,
And day's at the morn;
..........
God's in His Heaven -
All's right with the world

As I write these words, the sun is disappearing in a blaze of light after a beautiful, if somewhat cool day here - a real 'shepherd's delight' sky and another proof that so far as nature is concerned, at least, all is very right with the world. And please don't anyone ask why that has just brought words from the hymn The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, has ended into my mind - I think it's the beginning of verse 2, but it could be 3:

The sun that bids us rest is waking
Our brethren 'neath the Western sky....

Please forgive the somewhat OT ramble here!

#5: Author: Kate, Location: Ireland

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 9:25 am
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That was lovely Squirrel, thank you.

#6: Author: Tara, Location: Malvern, Worcestershire

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 11:05 pm
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Lovely, Squirrel. Thank you.

#7: Author: LizB, Location: Oxon, England

Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 11:17 pm
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That was really sweet

Thanks, Squirrel Very Happy

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