Friday, September 24, 2010

Plain Brown Wrapper

I only have the picture in my mind. I didn't know I'd have this encounter....
The other day my husband and I went to the cemetery for a visit, which was bordering a pasture......we saw the horses from the highway.
I noticed the large and simple brown horse in the pasture next to where I was standing and walked over to get a closer look...what happened next was so magical, I don't think I'll forget it. Not for a long time.
He saw me and began to gallop, not trot or walk, but gallop toward me. I used to care for horses years ago near Seattle, and I could feel the velvet of his ears and the smell of his neck before he ever got to where I was. When he got to me at the edge of the forest brush and barbwire fence, he stood there within arms reach, flicking his haunches to ward off the pesky flies; like he was waiting for something...I reached over the spiked fence to touch the softness of his neck with my finger tips. I spoke to him of his majesty and beauty and thanked him for coming to me; and we stood there together for the longest time. He was so plain, just brown and nothing else, yet so incredibly beautiful. Brown was all he needed.

I see that in so many people...the beauty in the plainness. I see it a lot here in this very unglamorous small town. Makeup-less faces and pony tails and tanned faces worn by hardness and years under the sun. Weathered hands roughened by farming and fixing things...there is beauty there in the plainness. the roughness. the weathered lines....The plain brown wrapper of life. This beautiful, beautiful, unpredictable life....

12 comments:

  1. I love that - the beauty in the plainness. I think faces are so beautiful - and not just the obviously beautiful - but beautiful nonetheless. I think the older we get, the more we appreciate beauty in all its forms.

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  2. I love that you were given that magical moment, it was meant for you. Everyone really is beautiful. :)
    ♥Jenny

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  3. this was a wonderful post..
    gives us something to think about.
    sometimes i think that the idea/concept of beauty has been
    Hi-jacked..we are force fed what it should incompass..

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  4. What a special special moment. I love horses too, I grew up with many and they have a way about them that is a silent love. I'm so happy you shared this moment and thank you.

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  5. Agree with the concept of beauty being hi-jacked!

    I can feel this moment with you. I love horses. They are such amazing, sensitive creatures.

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  6. Brown was all he needed. (Love that!)

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  7. When I saw the title of this post, I thought you were going somewhere completely different, but once again, you spun me around into your beautiful world. I never know what to expect with you, which is what I love about you; you make us each change our way of thinking, change our mind. You see the beauty that we each want to see, but have not the sensitive eye to see it. The beautiful Bodhisattva; you are that; all we ever needed.

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  8. I imagine walking through a barn, sun streaking through worn wooden blanks, haze and dust, warping an image out of the past of our family farm. You and others like you are why I started a blog. I don't know where mine exactly is headed, but I do not what I like.

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  9. I also love that you mentioned the smell of the horse's neck...I adore THAT smell and the smell of puppies breath! Think there could be a perfume in that combo??? You could try a line of SacredCake Scents and package them in plain brown wrappers...Just a thought!;)

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  10. Your posts are simply ..inspirational...thank you...

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  11. Good morning! Just flying around to my fav blogs, getting the juices flowing for this beautiful day (temps in the 60's, sunshine, perfect). This post touched me and I'm so so glad you shared this one. I'm an animal lover and super sensitive type so I could see and feel every word - and the natural beauty of all things is precious to behold. Botox schmotox, yay natural.

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  12. You have such a gift for finding beauty in the plain, the sacred in the ordinary and the hidden blessings in the daily-thank you so much for reminding me to see deeper!

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