I was recently in New York City. We spent the first day on a double-decker bus tour being shown all of the sites. I was struck, as I often am in big cities, by the details of the architecture. My sons know more about this than I do. They can tell you the names of the styles, while I just appreciate them. As always… my gift is appreciation. So I spent the day searching out the beautiful details.
The next morning when I woke up it had been raining and there were raindrops streaking across my window. Across the alley from our room was another building with big windows. And in a window I saw a reflection. A spire on top of a nearby building. Bright orange and shaped like a flame. Spectacular! I couldn’t wait to get outside and see it at a better angle. It looked more modern than most of the nearby buildings… so I was anxious to learn more about it.
As soon as my family woke up I quickly pointed it out to them. Look at the reflection of this beautiful spire! So pretty! Tall and thin, the flame was somehow almost flower like.
My husband grinned. And told me the truth. It was a crane. A tall orange construction crane extended straight up on the roof of the building. We watched for a little while and eventually it folded down on it self. He was right.
I confess that I was not wearing my glasses, and the raindrops distorted the image. I laughed… and I admit I was also a little bit disappointed. But you know, I don’t think it changes things completely.
I was seeking out beauty…. and so I found it. Because I was looking. I found it even in something completely mundane and utilitarian. Something not really beautiful at all.
And it filled me with quiet happy wonder.
Quiet Happy Wonder 