This morning as I headed to work, the car wheel turned right toward town and the river, instead of left toward school. The unexpected detour felt beyond my control, so I just gave in–Well, honestly, I didn’t struggle too much. Apparently my will power was weak, and the lure of a brightly colored dawn was strong.
Down by the river I marveled at the glowing reds, roses, golds and greys. I parked and grabbed my camera to snap a picture or two. I walked out onto the dock, my steps sending ripples shimmering across the reflected clouds.
As I walked, something made me look up. Overhead a heron flew by, its strong wings flapping, its silhouette unmistakable. I stopped in my tracks, so grateful to see it, awed by its silent dawn flight. Where had it been? Where was it going?
The stress of the week receded, and I stood, camera forgotten, simply watched the heron fly until it was out of sight. I wondered idly if it might be the last one I’d see until the spring. I was so thankful I’d been there to see it. So thankful I took that right turn.
Nix the comfort zone 
Ohhhhh…that is a glorious sight. Thank you for writing about it so I could imagine the grace and wonder of your important right turn. As always, your writing is beautiful.
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Thanks so much and welcome back!
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Stunning picture! I love when we have those moments were we realize we took a turn, or waited five minutes, or talked a bit longer than we planned and a gift appears. Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks! Seeing the heron seemed like such a confirmation of my choice to head to the river.
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I love it! What a beautiful unexpected way to begin the day, and I bet it was a great one, too! 🙂
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It was a great way to start the day. I’m not sure it was a great one (lol), but I am sure that the morning moment by the river enhanced it.
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Definitely the right turn! Congrats on a peaceful, gorgeous morning.
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The upside of leaving early for work is having more flexibility with taking a few detours along the way!
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This reminds me about a time when I was coming home from a writing retreat with a friend and I took the wrong highway. We were not on a time schedule and we ended up at the beach. Now that my friend is gone, I cherish this memory so much.
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What a lovely memory!
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>I was so thankful I’d been there to see it. So thankful I took that right turn.<
Those last two sentences gave me chills. It was such a great way to wrap up a wonderful "detour". Sometimes in life, we need these detours to fill our soul back up. It looks and sounds like you did just that! 🙂
Thank you for sharing with us today.
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Thanks, Darin! It was such a welcome and unexpected respite in the midst of a crazy week!
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