UPlifting: A Walk

I live in a rather harsh climate. The north country is often covered in snow. And ice. And darkness. But for a few months out of the year we are acutely aware of the splendor of sunshine and warmth. Now is one of those months. Sometimes it is just rainy and snowy and windy in May, but this year's start to spring has been glorious to say the least.

Today I dropped the kids at school and parked my car near the river and walked. I walked for quite a long time, and just breathed in the smell of lilacs and the sound of birds and people and geese and ducks. So many of each that the walking path was crowded with them. Cyclists and walkers. Kids on skateboards and moms with strollers. Friendly "good morning"s were exchanged with passersby and all seemed well with the world. I stopped in a shady spot near the falls. The sound of the water drowning out the noise of traffic and activity.  Stretching body, and mind, and Spirit. Taking all of the side paths and twists and turns that I could find. Yes, I believe glorious was just the right word!

Quote of the day:

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;	5
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,	10
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.	15
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

                                                        --Robert Frost