Open My Eyes that I May See

My mind is a mystery to me.  In it is stored a library of miscellaneous facts, stories, ideas, and emotions.  Anything which flows past its grasping reach is gathered in, filed, and kept for use as required!

Walking across the front lobby, I glance out the front door and windows and stop and gasp.  There, spread before me, is a scene beautiful beyond description.  Framing the far side of our covered drive-in entrance, there is a flower bed.  It features a pair of unusual hydrangea bushes, with huge white blossoms.

Hydrangea

Photo by Liz Koerner

 

I know they are there.  I know they are beautiful, but they hardly register anymore.  My glance is usually focused on which taxi is waiting to discharge its customer, or the mailman with the day’s mail.  What jarred me awake today?  What caused my mind to dig in its files, and come up with the first line of a hymn I sang eighty-four years ago – “Open My Eyes That I May See”?

This is an interesting day.  So quiet and calm, the sunlight that filters through the surrounding foliage lights up the hydrangea bushes, and the light breeze makes them dance.  Today those blossoms might as well be saying, “Look at me, look at me.”

I think to myself that there is no denying that I have been looking at those hydrangeas without really seeing them.  How much pleasure and appreciation I missed with this lack of awareness.

Hydrangea

Photo by Liz Koerner

My thanks to Liz Koerner, Vancouver artist, for these photos.

10 Comments

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10 Responses to Open My Eyes that I May See

  1. Alison

    A reminder to us all to stop and look around us. As far as the Hymns, I find that I am amazed at all the words that I know of hymns I haven’t sung in years and years! makes me wonder what, if anything, the kids of today will remember?
    I have a hydrangea in my Alberta garden, and it is in full bloom right now as well – but not nearly as impressive as the one’s outside your front door.
    Keep well, lovely to hear from you

    • Marjorie

      Good to hear from you, too, Alison. Sounds as if you remember the words of hymns better than I do! I had to dig out a hymn book to even get the second line. The white hydrangeas, as shown in the pictures, are impressive to be sure. My friend Liz Koerner who took those pictures is an artist and graciously offered them to me to use in my blog.

  2. Our youngest son is recovering from a massive stroke he suffered a year ago. He finds it difficult to recognize positive changes because they develop so slowly. My husband and I prayed that he and those around him would notice little changes more clearly to bring him hope. The following day, he had a brief seizure, possibly related to smoking, which he wants to quit. The last time he had a seizure, four months ago, we noticed very significant improvements afterwards — along with some temporary losses in self-control. Certainly not what one expects after something usually considered “an adverse event.” This time, we noticed that his sense of balance has become almost perfect, the way it was before his stroke. I watched him accidentally slide down the last step of the deck on his heels without wavering from upright. A few weeks ago he would have fallen. His verbal responses are slow but more complete, more colloquial, and more characteristic. When asked about a choice involving his family, instead of saying, “Don’t know,” or another one-word or gesture of non-commitment he said, “I’ll… have… to… run… that… past… Rachael.” How wonderfully the words of that old hymn come back to me. Thank you so much for making that connection.

    • Marjorie

      I send my sincere sympathy to you and your husband, Laurna, and your son and his family. Life so often means working one’s way through heartbreaking events, and that is tough going. For me the encounter with the unexpected, good, and warm things helps keep me stabilized. May you all experience improved situations.

  3. Brenda Wallace

    There is a full moon tonight, creating its magic over the marina where our sail boat is docked. I’m going on deck right now to celebrate the occasion with my eyes wide open. Thank you for the reminder!

    • Marjorie

      Good on you, Brenda. You and that man of yours do a good job of being “aware”, wherever you are!

  4. Elfrieda Neufeld Schroeder

    I have two lovely hydrangea bushes by my front door as well. They are not the kind that form those impressive balls, but they are very beautiful. All kinds of insects are attracted to them, not for aesthetic reasons, I’m sure. That is our gift, as higher thinking creatures. I am grateful for this gift because there is so much beauty all around at this time of year, as we slowly head toward the fall season in all its splendour. One more week at the cottage, and summer is done! I’ll savour every last drop!

    • Marjorie

      That’s the trick isn’t it, Elfrieda? Be aware and enjoy every day and what it offers. It still amazes me how much there is to “savour” when I “Open My Eyes That I May See”. Look forward to the rest of summer, and anticipate the coming fall!

  5. Kathy

    Marjorie, what a wonderful reminder. I sat in my yard yesterday after several hours of cutting grass and weeding gardens. I marveled in the beauty and thought of how much Dad would have loved to sit with me and look at all the flowers!

    • Marjorie

      Kathy – Thanks for your comment. It is so important isn’t it, to remember to appreciate the everyday beauty which is all around us. I know how you feel about Dick – I have the same feeling about Sheldon. He would have loved what Vancouver offers wherever one looks.