Heading home from our “U” and “V” adventure, we’re several hours into our long flight from London to Phoenix. I’m a little stir crazy … I’ve watched a couple of movies, but the countdown clock on the entertainment screen reminds me there are many more hours yet to go before we arrive.
Judy sleeps peacefully. I’m a little envious of her ability to nod off on transoceanic flights. I consider another movie, get lost in my thoughts for a few moments and shift in my seat. By chance, I look out my window expecting to see a solid layer of clouds or perhaps the solid deep blue of the ocean below us.
The bright light of day streams in. My eyes adjust and I look out to take in a cloudless view of the rocky fjords of Greenland. Completely devoid of life (or so it seems from this height) the Earth is gray and brown. Icebergs dot the sea as it gives way to land; glaciers marking their paths, move slowly toward their destiny. Ribbons of white, brown and gray create a scene worthy of painting. And yet it is nature’s artwork, displayed below me as if it were God’s unfinished tableau.
Never before have I seen a land more barren or more colorless, but in that stark environment, there is incredible beauty. I snap picture after picture, capturing this barren land for others to see. I wake Judy from her slumber … she has to see this!
The lack of color strikes me. 
Icebergs dot the fjords and snow remains everywhere despite it being late July. 
I can’t seem to stop snapping pictures even though they pale in comparison to the actual view.
For her, it was home for a long year of her life. Perhaps she doesn’t see the same beauty with wonder in her eyes. I, on the other hand, cannot shake myself from my awe. For a moment, the images thousands of feet below me blur as my emotions overwhelm me and tears form in the corners of my eyes.
As we continue our westward course, the cloud cover returns. It’s too soon! The great land below is obscured once again. Yet, for a few brief minutes, I have experienced something I have never seen before and may never see again. I am truly blessed.
There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Let something unexpected remind you how awesome it can be.
© The World A to Z, LLC 2023 — Unless otherwise indicated, no compensation was received for this blog.
The World A to Z 
Gorgeous!!! Thanks for this post!!
LikeLike
Thanks, Greg! That was a lovely post!
LikeLike