The fawn hesitates, oversize ears rotating as he watches me take his picture from the window. I’m sure he can’t hear me, but he stares unblinking, hoping the shape of me behind the glass is nothing. Hoping he is invisible.
On his rump there is a curious black and white mark that identifies him as the same youngster who has been visiting all week.
At the edge of the woods his mother hovers, nibbling snippets of cedar that were flung to the ground during last week’s windstorm. Despite the distance I sense she has seen my eyes fasten on her. When I shift my body ever so slightly to put the camera on the coffee table beside me, she stops munching. The bough hangs from the sides of her muzzle as she stands frozen in mid-mouthful.
I glance back at the fawn, still motionless, and when I return my gaze to his momma she has glided to the edge of the yard and stands alert, peering through the arbour.
“You’re too close to that house, sonny,” I think she says, because the little one leaps away to join her. Within seconds they have disappeared down the pathway to the marsh and I am alone again.
~
Ah-ha, you think. Here’s a post that has nothing to do with writing. But you’re wrong because it was a moment to share with you, and I had to write it first. As in photography, it isn’t finding a subject that’s important… it’s finding the words to frame it. In this case, finding ways to express thankfulness for the blessing of ordinary days. And I am thankful for the sweetness of this moment.
What ordinary moment are you thankful for today?
~
MUSINGS 
That, my dear, is an extraordinary moment! And quite well written.
What a lovely post you shared with us today.
My “moment” is getting up before everyone. I love those precious few moments before the rest of my world wakes and needs my. I sit by the window with my morning coffee, alone, quiet and at peace with the world.
Your pictures and words capture the beauty of the scene. Thanks for sharing.
Today I’m enjoying listening to The Ultimate Yanni while sipping coffee and browsing my favorite blogs.
What a beautiful couple of photos, Carol! Yes, a blessed moment indeed!
This morning I received my first email of any substance from my youngest brother. He has MS and is struggling with pneumonia, at home, having had insufficient strength to send an email for a few weeks already. My heart rejoiced, and I read the email several times. He’s not well yet, but perhaps he has turned the corner. An email is an ordinary event, but today it was extraordinary. God is good! Blessings to you…
Beautiful story, Carol. I was there with you. We’re dealing with a sic cat. We took Buster to the vets yesterday and had to leave him behind. Now we wait to hear how his operation went and when we can pick him up. I asked last night how he was doing, and the vet said he was scared. I did sleep last night, but it was restless, and I woke exhausted this morning. These beautiful animals come into our lives and whether we’re able to articulate it or not, they change us. I sense your appreciation for your visitors and suspect that alone probably enriches your writing. Me, I’ll be okay once I get my boy home again.
Dear Friend,
This post has everything to do with writing. It’s a wonderful story of an extraordinary moment in an ordinary day. Which makes it an extraordinary day. You made my day.
Today I finally “captured” a purple finch at the feeder. Through a lens, of course. 😉
I love the picture of the deer looking through the arbor and you are right–this is a post for writers and we got to enjoy the way you wrote this passage.
I’m trying very hard to be more thankful for the ordinary moments in my life–like sitting on my patio in the sun and noting how many kinds of birds we have now. We didn’t have trees where we used to live and so I never saw these birds before. It is surprising to me to see so many mates. At my age and I am awed by a pair of cardinals!
Thanks to all of you for sharing your special moments. Sometimes we’re surprised to discover blessings where we least expect to find them.
Joylene, I hope by now Buster is okay, home again, secure and comfy on your lap. Our little companions have such a special place in our lives. It’s hard when they’re anything other than their happy healthy selves.
Thanks, Carol. We picked up Buster this afternoon. He was sleepy on the way home, but as soon as I set him down, he started talking and walking in circles. Wish I understood cat-speech. I’m sure he had quite an adventure. A new diet, a clean colon and our little fellow is going to be just fine. Thanks for asking.
How lovely and lovable!
I enjoy drinking coffee and praying with my DH in the early mornings, and reading together at night.
Thanks, Jenn. (I had my response to your comment muddled with a different post.) It *is* lovely to see them wandering through here. It’s a very pastoral scene.
Carol,
I have always loved deer. Many years ago when I was very depressed and crying I asked the Lord to show me a sign that HE loved me, a sign of hope. I prayed to see a deer—I lived in the middle of no where and deer were plentiful. I sat in the family room, in the dark. I looked out the sliding glass door in the field. Soon after that prayer I saw not one deer but an entire herd of deer.
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19
BTW I love the snowdrops!
I’m glad my post provided a good memory for you, Katt. I love living rurally enough to see occasional wildlife here — bears, deer, coyote, raccoons… there’s even the occasional bobcat or cougar in the area altho’ I haven’t seen them here at the house. And, of course, all the birds! The birds and squirrels keep me constantly filling the birdfeeders! God’s sweet creatures!
The snowdrops are blooming well right now, altho’ the rest of the gardens look pretty disheveled. By March I’m hoping for dry enough weather to get out in them