For Every Dark Cloud There is a Ray of Sunshine

One of the most beautiful aspects to living near Lake Ontario are the sunrise and sunsets. The colors, brightness, and majesty take my breath away still. As a child I loved riding my bike to the lake to sit on the shore and watch the sunset with the sound of the waves as a background serenade. 

Ed and I spent our first couple years renting my Gram's camp on the lake, regardless of the season, to sit and watch the lake swept me away from whatever life was bringing me. Sometimes the sunrise brought tears because Heidi was still missing but then the sunset reminded me there was hope for tomorrow. Something as simple as the sun...many emotions and blessings.

To watch the sun rise and set directly on the lake is my favorite yet in Upstate New York, as long as you are close to the lake...you can usually capture its beauty and magnificence. 

When not lakeside, to watch the sun settle behind my father's garden still ignites an awe and energy within me. It's the best time to do the dishes because you can watch the light dim and lower behind the trees. Not only do you have clean dishes, a sense of peace and tranquility overcome you.

This evening I went for a buggy ride with my Mom to visit a friend. I looked forward to the visit and hug but what took my breath away was the view. The sun glimmered off the lake and reflected in all directions. Wow, I'm thinking if I lived there, I might never leave. The sun wasn't even setting yet, it was simply preparing for the descent but it still amazed me with its beauty. 

The photos in today's blog were taken last night. This is the same tree on the cover of Encourage Others: One Day at a Time, sitting on top of the hill. The pink blossoms were lost in the color of the sun setting but something else peeked through...a ray of hope.

Today's picture reminds us that when the clouds of life seem to surround us, when we slow down to let the light in, there is hope. 

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What brings you hope?