The River Walk

I spent last weekend in Columbia, South Carolina with my sister. It was a time for celebration. And a time for healing. Cinder and I often find healing in nature. A walk along the river never fails to rejuvenate...as Cinder's "son" Motte illustrates.

I didn't take a dip in the river a la Motte. But I did enjoy meandering. Concrete walkways may not be the most natural of paths but Nature doesn't seem to mind meldng with Man. In fact, She seems to delight in it.

Fallen leaves give me inspiration. Their fragile imprints are fleeting gifts that will melt away come the first gentle rainfall. Lucky for me, my camera catches them before they fade away.

Yet while those "fossil" leaves may soon be gone, life continues. This butterfly, a symbol of transformation, affirms it. I'd never seen this one before. But before I finished the river walk I met many of its kin.

It was difficult to leave Columbia & time spent with my sister. But it helped when I arrived home, turned down our gravel drive and discovered that my irises were all a-bloom. These beauties are called "Jessie's Song". Our grandmother was named Jessie. Which is why I planted these.

Quite a weekend...renewal and new growth. Sometimes it's good to walk by the river and heed nature's call.