I awoke to the sound of wind chimes today. I could hear all the new leaves rustling too. It sounded like they were celebrating. Clapping because it’s Spring!
Through my window, I could see the cheerful sky outside and it made me wonder why on earth we associate the happiest, most hopeful color with sadness. Every day starts with a coal black morning, but it’s always the color blue that bleeds through.
It was just me and Steevenson this morning because Kevin had to take Katie to an early appointment. The two of us shared a fruity green smoothie, scrambled eggs, and a few slices of thick, crispy bacon before we left for school.
On our way there, we saw Miss Kitty, a retired gal who is always waiting, bright and early, greeting all of us as we head up the hill and through the woods that sit between our neighborhood and the school.
(Miss Kitty and another one of our neighbors, Mr. Neuenschwander…greeting folks on their way to school.)
We exchanged good mornings and then she took both of Steevenson’s hands and said, “Remind me what your name is, sweetie?” He answered, and she exclaimed, “Oh! Like Robert Louis Stevenson! He’s the one who wrote: ‘I felt you push, I heard you call, I could not see yourself at all‘. It’s about the wind.”
As Steevenson and I continued up the hill I felt hugged by the experience. That we crossed paths with a poem about the wind, on this especially breezy day, written by a poet from the 1800s who just happened to share a name with my son.
I looked it up after I dropped Steevenson off at school:
I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies’ skirts across the grass–
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all–
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!-Robert Louis Stevenson
Isn’t that beautiful? I spent most of the (windy) day working from the bed swing on our porch and felt like I was exactly where God wanted me to be.
It’s dinner time now and the leaves are still clapping. Probably because they all watched someone learn how to ride his bike (without training wheels) after school. 🙂
Happy weekend, friends!
Layla
PS- Kevin just brought it to my attention that his mom gave Steevenson a book of poems by Robert Louis Stevenson a while back and he has read “The Wind” to him many times at bedtime. Another fun connection!
This has to be the best way to wake up! Thank you for so much a beautiful story this morning!
You are so welcome! I am glad you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! 😀
I’m a fan of Robert Louis Stevenson! And your Steevenson, of course!
I saw him ride his bike without training wheels! Another milestone reached!
So many blessings from out God to you, Layla!
Hugs, sweet Deanna! X
Beautiful story Layla! God knows just what to do in those times with us as we compete our task for the day! I adore that photo of Katie and Steevenson😍
That would be (complete our task)😉
Thank you, Bev! 😀
Kevin’s mom is so lovely!
Thank you, Debbie! I will tell her you said so! 😀
Oh what a wonderful way to start the day. So very proud of Stevenson. Hes growing like a weed, tall and strong. God is good.
Thank you, Deborah! And you’re right, he is growing SO fast these days! Just like the earth, it’s so fun to watch him bloom too!
Preciousness. My unsolicited advice is to start memorizing poetry with your son. I homeschool my two boys (ages 8&11) and make it part of our day. It is so nice to have apt words fitly spoken for occasions like a windy day or another of Stevenson’s poems, “How do you like to go up in a swing, up in the air so blue? Oh I do think it is the pleasantest thing ever a child can do…” We simply read the same poem every day until we know it by heart then move on and review one old poem a day along with the new one. Anchor it to something you already do each day, like breakfast or the walk to school ☺ RLS is the best place to start!
Hi Gloria! Thank you for that GREAT advice! I will definitely be intentional about working poetry in!
Thank you Layla for writing about everyday things that we sometimes take for granted. Your writing makes me more aware and appreciative. Today’s post reminds me of a short poem i memorized about the wind. “Who can see the wind? Neither you or I. But when the trees bow down their heads, the wind is passing by”. Another good poem to
Memorize is Joyce Kilmer’s poem “Trees”. When I was growing up in NJ the tree that supposedly inspired him I passed everyday on my way to school. My
Mother had memorized it and we repeated it everyday. It is the one poem that I have remembered in its entirety. God’s blessings on you and your family
Thank you, Susan! Everyday things are my favorite things to write about so I’m glad you enjoy reading them too! 🙂
I loved this! Very positive and inspiring! Thank you!
Oh, Layla! Thank you for sharing as you do so often. This poem is glorious today!
Love this! Great picture of Katie and Stevenson!!
Great post and lovely picture …what blessings children are to grandparents!
such a lovely post Layla. i adore your delight in the simple!
Lovely, simply lovely!
Everything about this is so beautiful. And “yes” to reading and memorizing poetry–especially anything by Robert Louis Stevenson. His poem “The Land of Counterpane” was my favorite as a child. Thank you, and Happy Spring!
I have never really enjoyed reading, and have tried many blogs. Your posts are my absolute favorite and I look forward to listening to them all the time. Thank you.
Love the addition of the audio track! What a fun way to experience your post with you! Keep being awesome 🙂
Layla!!! This was my first time listening to your blog and I just loved it! It was so soothing. I listened as I filled up my bathtub with cozy water and eucalyptus epson salts. Your words remind me of the power in a name. Sweet Steevenson is so blessed to have a mom that pauses to take in the wind — the very breath of God.
Your blog feels like going back home to see a good friend. Truly. I love it here Layla.
Love this! Your neighborhood just sounds and looks like the greatest place! You’ve also inspired me to look for some wind chimes!
I’ve been following you for a long time but don’t think I have ever commented. I really loved this story. What a wonderful walk to school you and Stevenson had. You 5 make a beautiful family.