Several weeks ago when we thought Spring might be around the corner...I took a drive through the beautiful and nationally recognized cemetery and arboretum, Spring Grove. It was quite a beautiful morning with azure blue skies and wispy clouds. Depending on the amount of time I have to wander about, these little drives may be as short as 15 minutes, or as long as an hour. This is most often determined by my mood and nothing else. Feeling a bit more adventurous, the drive may be especially slow. Stopping the car for a better look, or taking a picture is never out of the question. This Cemetery predates the Civil War, and is an amazing world full of information and mystery.
Driving through the park, there was a tree. An amazing tree. It reminded me of the tree in the movie Avatar. You know, the one with all the wispy things all around it. Being in a cemetery, it also prompted me to think of the Tree of Life. There were 2 trees placed in the Garden of Eden. One was the Tree of Good and Evil, the other was the Tree of Life.
Genesis 2:9 - And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
As we know, Eve was tempted by Satan and partook of the fruit of the Tree of Good and Evil. Because of this, Adam also partook and was cast out of the garden with Eve.
Genesis 3:24 - So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden, Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
I didn't see any flaming swords there...but the beauty was palatable.
Color, texture, contrast and composition have always been a staple in my life. Not only were my parents artists and painters, they were teachers. As a family, we often drove to the Toledo Museum of Art for a Sunday afternoon stroll through the galleries there. There was no surprise when I decided to attend college and receive a Bachelors of Art...in Art.
Although the shifting colors of the leaves from summer to autumn is beautiful, my true love is Winter changing to Spring. There are no words to describe the anticipation and hint of the wonder to come...when the least...tiny...bit...of color starts to break through the black wiry branches of dead winter trees. The lightest of pinks turning to purple as the tree breaks forth in full bloom. The regal white blossoms of blooming trees along highways and city streets. Even turning a corner of a small cemetery path, only to find the magnificence of The Tree of Life in all it's glory....sans the flaming sword.
So, dear friends...this begs the question...this spring as you look out at the changing landscapes...what do you see?
