In Praise of Everyday Miracles

One of the things that I've been doing since I've been on this diet is walking. At least 30 minutes. Every day. Rain or shine, hot or cold (Belgium, remember?). I have several routes, depending on whether it's raining or not, how far I want to go, whether I want hilly or flat, or just how I feel.

I really enjoy this time. I have been keeping an eye on the blackberries and waiting for them to start to ripen. I've been watching the plum trees and the hazelnuts and the pears. I have been keeping an eye on the sheep and the cattle and the goats as I pass their pastures. I know my neighborhood so much better than I did a year ago.

Most days I pass a corner with a small field. This field has some pear trees in it and often a few goats. The local kids like to stop and feed the goats, and I like to keep an eye on the pears which are showing signs of ripening.

Saturday as I approached the field I heard the unmistakable sound of a baby animal crying. When I got to the fence there was one of the goats with two brand new kids—literally just born! They were still wet and mom was cleaning them. They made an incredible amount of noise for such little guys!

I've always lived in cities, and animal births were few and far between. Here in the country, I expect that people are pretty much used to animals giving birth. But no, as I stood there, just watching, people started to gather to admire and to enjoy this everyday miracle. Not only children, but adults too. And teenagers. Just watching and laughing and enjoying seeing these brand-new animals take their wobbly first steps, squalling for mom and breakfast. 

 

Sometimes when I feel a little sorry for myself I like to remember this sort of thing—it reminds me that I have everything I need to be happy. Right on my doorstep.

Diet update: 9 kilos / 20 pounds so far...