Today has been cool and misty. The sky is overcast in melted vanilla and thin cigar smoke cloud layers. I saw one swatch of blue peaking through when I walked Penelope. My neighborhood is surrounded by hymns from the porches’ organ wind chimes. The music is beautiful and haunting, making me sit still and quiet so I can hear the musical notes.

My yard is full of birds — cardinals and American goldfinches, titmice and chickadees, doves, downy woodpeckers and purple finches — all enjoying the damp cool day, feeding and frolicking around the bird feeders. I’ve been watching this beautiful female cardinal. I’ve never seen such wondrous plumage. She has watercolor brush strokes in shades of amber and umber feathers in a paint chart layer across her back and wings. She perched on the top of a bird feeder pole, a handsome bird monarch, posing regally like a queen, her crest a crown.

I love to sit in the swing and watch the raindrops polka dot the sidewalks and the porch tile. The raindrops today were steady and small, never flooding the yard, just polka dotting the concrete sidewalk. “Each raindrop carries a rainbow within their heart,” Anthony T. Hincks. Lots of ordinary things have hidden potential for beauty we just have to look beyond the surface to discover it. What a wonderful way to think, a little raindrop carrying a rainbow. When the raindrops are kissed by the sun they become a prism and form a wondrous rainbow. The rainbow’s heart carries God’s colors and his promises.

“Rain creates a soft veil, allowing secrets to be heard by the soul,” AIGIFT. I sat in the swing today letting my mind wander on memories of days gone by. My grandchildren started back to school today, tenth, ninth, and sixth grade. I marvel at how quickly these beautiful children have grown up. I was remembering our visits when the children were young, letting the happy memories flood my mind. Chief would be so proud of them. They belong to me and I can brag. They’re smart and sweet, kind and affectionate, and have a deep faith in God. They’re not spoiled and somehow still carry the wide-eyed innocence of childhood. My son and daughter-in-law are devoted to them and I’m so proud of their parenting. I know my grandchildren will leave the world a better place. These wonderful children are my pride and joy and I’m so thankful for their blessings.

I’m wondering as we age why does time pass so quickly? Steve Taylor writes in Psychology Today “the more information our minds process, the slower time seems to pass. Time speeds up with increasing age because we have fewer new experiences and our perception is less vivid. We can stop time speeding up by bringing new experiences into our lives and by living mindfully.” We can live mindfully by living in our present moments, experiencing and appreciating the world around us.

Our circumstances in life don’t bring the greatest joy. Our connection to God brings us true joy. Even when were having difficulties God gives us strength and we can trust him to support us. Scripture in Philippians tells us to rejoice in the Lord. God wants us to be joyful. John 15:11 states, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Life is so fast paced we often over look the small moments in life that can bring the greatest happiness. “It always pays to dwell slowly on the beautiful things — the more beautiful the more slowly,” Atticus. I love this thought from Anne Lamont. “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

Don’t rush through life, slow down and find joy and beauty in life’s simple pleasures. Be mindful of present moments. Be grateful for blessings small and large. Take time to “stop and smell the roses.”

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” — Ferris Bueler’s Day Off