I’ve just completed creating tables of contents for the five non-fiction books I’ve either written or compiled. They’ve been sent to my layout person. Once she’s done, all future copies of the books will include a table of contents. Going through each book was a fun project that brought back many memories. I came across the following in From the Heart of a Grateful Man and wanted to re-share it with you. May it remind you of your own special times, people, and places. With Love, Russ A Day in Paradise
A while back, My Beloved and I spent a day in paradise. We walked in an ancient redwood forest along a large creek with clear flowing water, small waterfalls, and deep pools. All around us towered ancient majestic redwood trees as we walked among large ferns. Redwood sorrel that looked like giant clover leafs carpeted the ground. My Beloved, a Special Ed teacher for a mixed Kindergarten/ First Grade class, had just completed an exhausting school year the day before and badly needed a nap, so we stopped for a while in a secluded glen.
I sat on a fallen tree near the creek and My Beloved sat on the soft forest carpet leaning against me with her head resting on my chest. The water tinkled with a soothing music that is sweeter than any wind chimes, and in no time she was asleep. A warm but refreshing breeze gently caressed our skin as it enticed the trees to sway to the tune of the water and the wind. It looked to me as though the wind and trees were ancient dance partners swaying to a primal song, ever changing yet ever the same. The sun and shadows were not to be outdone as they danced among the trees and plants and on the forest floor. I thought their dance seemed a bit hurried, perhaps because they knew that when darkness fell at the end of the day their fun would end until morning, but the wind and trees could continue dancing and playing all night. I wondered if the sun and shadows cursed the unfairness of it all.
Our secret glen was full of spirit and magic and majesty. As I sat in reverence to the awesome beauty all around, my senses came alive with the sounds of the wind and water, the rough feel of the fallen tree and the softness of the wind, and the smells of the forest that are so unique and pure and earthy. Watching the water do its own dance among the stones in the stream brought me back to the many times as a child my friends and siblings would race leaves or twigs on the surface of creeks, or just sit and watch in curiosity and amazement as water skeeters raced along in calmer sections of the stream.
For a while, I was a child again. As I sat in reverie, my back, behind, arms, and legs began to ache as I tried not to move to avoid waking My Beloved–my body reminding me that while my mind can be any age, my body sometimes has other needs and ideas. But an even stronger feeling came to me as I sat in silence letting the soothing rhythms of nature refresh my spirit in that glorious masterpiece of nature with the woman of my life in my arms: This wasn’t merely paradise.
This was home.
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
Beautiful Russ. xoxo
Thank you for saying so, Misifusa.
Wonderful, Russ. Happy New Year to you.
Thank you Ann. Happy New Year!
What a lovely realization… Diane
Thank you, Diane.
Beautiful Russ. ❤
Thank you, Colleen.
I like the feel of serenity in this story. Wonderful. 🙂
I appreciate your kind comment. Thank you.
You are welcome.
wonderful.
Thank you, Beth.
I love to read your stories all over again and again, so beautiful, my sister recently noticed your comment on my blog and only then realised you were the author of the book I gave her for her birthday – the one with this story in it.
Love your writing !
Your comment made an already beautiful morning still warmer and brighter. Thank you, Ute!
Russ
What an endearing story of an actual day! I hope a day like that will be in my future.
May it be so, my friend.
Russ–Your references to your Beloved reminded me of the beautiful love verses in The Song of Solomon. May your 2015 be filled with beautiful moments that end up in more wonderful memories of paradise.
Thank you for the wonderful compliment and good wishes, John. May you and all your loved ones experience much joy, good health, and peace.
Came back to read this again!
Thank you, Koji. It is always good to hear from you!