I Found Beauty In The Garden

This picture is my reminder of a time-stood-still moment while visiting Claude Monet's gardens in Giverny, France. I was walking along the path encircling the water lily pond when I noticed an older lady sitting on a bench bordering said path. Her pure-white hair perfectly framed her perfect, pale skin. Her eyes glowed blue and matched the striking blue of her feminine pant outfit she wore. She wore a hat. And when I saw her, our eyes met and I instantly (and instinctively) exclaimed in English, "Now here is the most beautiful thing I've seen in this garden." She smiled really big and her blue eyes sparkled as if she knew exactly what I was saying and in another language, spoke a few words in reply. I so wish I could have captured more of that beautiful moment in my memory. It was a moment that I can never forget because it came so spontaneously. Of all the art we have and cherish, the most beautiful is the sweet spirit of the lives of those around us. When we forgive one another and are gentle and compassionate. When we are kind and listen without judgement; when we reach out to help one another; when our spirit lives in union with God and remains there. How sweet it is to enjoy the refreshing way God lets us bask in sweet, tender moments such as these. But this woman though! She conveyed so much to me in one moment as she sat in the sun, resting on that bench until the moment I came near her existence. Her existence spoke volumes to me and I had never seen her before. What a beautifully artistic moment was given expression and satisfaction there while she sat resting. I snapped this picture of her a few moments later as she joined her family and walked ahead of me.