My husband and I just returned from our annual fall trip to the mountains of North Carolina. It was such a fun time. We got to escape the oppressive, Florida heat, see colors in nature we don’t usually see, visit with friends, and best of all, spend time with our two children and their spouses. These visits are few and far between so we look forward to the times spent together. I think my single favorite moment was the evening the six of us shared a meal together. It also did this mom’s heart good to see my two, once adversaries, enjoying the mountains with each other and their spouses.
The colors this year were beautiful. We were there long enough to see some trees go from green to yellow, oranger or red, to almost bare. The mountain views were spectacular. The whole time we were there, I thought about that old hymn “For The Beauty of The Earth” by Folliott S. Pierpoint. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite photos of our trip along with some of the verses of the hymn.
So, take a deep breath, fix yourself a cup of hot tea and enjoy a little break from COVID, the election, and anything else troubling you.
For the beauty of the earth For the glory of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and Around us lies. Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the beauty of each hour, Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale, and tree and flower, Sun and moon, and stars of light. Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of ear and eye, For the heart and mind's delight, For the mystic harmony Linking sense to sound and sight. Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.
For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild. Lord of all, to Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.
I was so sad to have to leave the beautiful mountains. I got a real treat on the way down the mountain, though — I got to see two shaggy Highland cows grazing and my favorite herd of sheep dotting the hill on their farm, no doubt enjoying the last nibbles of green grass before winter comes. My husband said it was like they came out to say goodbye.
Kim Wilbanks 