One perfect late summer afternoon many years ago, I decided to get away from it all for awhile at Magnolia Gardens, about a 14 mile drive from where I live.
I love those kinds of days when the skies are full of puffy white clouds, which always brightens my mood. The air is warm but not hot and humid.
Interestingly, the whole experience was unique and unusual this time, and I recorded it faithfully in my journal as a record from memory enabling me to relive those moments now.
The afternoon was unusual in the sense that there are some days when small events, “coincidences,” and other happenstances seem to be flowing along in some kind of story or allegory of life, meant especially to be noticed and thought about by a passing observer of the scenes, which that day was me.
For instance, I always pass a vast memorial garden cemetery a few miles from the gardens. Only today, as I passed by and looked out the window, I saw a lot of cars and a graveside service in progress. In all the times I’ve passed by, this is the first time I have seen that.
Just as I observed the cars and the service, I spotted at the same time a young man passing by jogging, pushing in front of him as he ran a stroller with a small child inside. (I never have understood why people do this). He seemed oblivious to the burial service.
I imagined in one tableaux the ages of humankind: childhood, adulthood, old age and death in once quick and passing scene.
The gardens were beautiful when I got there, and I began marveling at the flowers, the landscapes, the skies and, in general, the extraordinary beauty of the place. I think I have written before that I think this must be one of the most beautiful spots on earth, and others have said the same. I always find the most lovely flowers to photograph, all during the year, in every season.
On that particular day the red spider lillies were in bloom everywhere. What astonishing flowers.
Near the shallows in the main lake, a most splendid Great Blue Heron waded slowly and patiently looking for a meal. I could get fairly close to this magnificent bird, as he evidently is used to people by now. At the nature preserve and elsewhere in the gardens, these birds are usually very shy and take flight at the slight movement near them, but for some odd reason I was able to able to photograph this particular heron for quite some time.
As I was leaving the main path to return to my car, I saw across the water in an open area of lawn near the gazebo and gardens, a wedding taking place at that moment. I caught a glimpse of the bride and her father walking down a grassy aisle among those attending this outdoor wedding. A chamber music quartet was playing some of my favorite classical music, and I stopped a while to listen to and savor the sounds, the beautiful natural setting, and the entire ambience of that special day for two people.
As I continued walking the short distance to my car, I thought to myself what a remarkable afternoon, to have witnessed such events and sights that stir the emotions and, that afternoon, caused me to reflect with more than the usual penetration of insight, on how this life and everyone alive now is on a journey. Mostly we just see glimpses or quick flashes of one or the other of life’s major rituals and solemn occasions, but rare indeed do we see so many symbols of life and death, or, if you will, the passages or stages of life, in such a short time and so fleetingly as to make one truly wonder at the significance and meaning of it all.
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