Eyes to See
Eyes to See
“One beautiful spring morning when I was alone in the summer-house, reading, I became aware of a wonderful subtle fragrance in the air. I started up and instinctively stretched out my hands. It seemed as though the spirit of spring had passed through the summer-house. “What is it?” I asked, and the next minute I recognized the odour of the mimosa blossoms. I felt my way to the end of the garden, knowing that the mimosa tree was near the fence, at the turn of the path. Yes, there it was, all quivering in the warm sunshine, its blossom-laden branches almost touching the long grass. Was there every anything so exquisitely beautiful in the world before! Its delicate blossoms shrank from the slightest earthly touch; it seemed as if a tree of paradise had been transplanted to earth. I made my way through the shower of petals to the great trunk and for one minute stood irresolute; then, putting my foot in the broad space between the forked branches, I pulled myself up into the tree. I had some difficulty holding on, for the branches were very large and the bark hurt my hands. But I had a delicious sense that I was doing something unusual and wonderful, so I kept on climbing higher and higher, until I reached a little seat which somebody had built there so long ago that it had grown part of the tree itself. I sat there for a long, long time, feeling like a fairy on a rosy cloud. After that I spent many happy hours in my tree of paradise, thinking fair thoughts and dreaming bright dreams.”
“Three frolicsome little streams ran through [Fern Quarry] from springs in the rocks above, leaping here and tumbling there in laughing cascades wherever rocks tried to bar their way. The opening was filled with ferns which completely covered the beds of limestone and in places hid the streams. The rest of the mountain was thickly wooded. Here were great oaks and splendid evergreens with trunks like mossy pillars, from the branches of which hung garlands of ivy and mistletoe, and persimmon trees, the odour of which pervaded every nook and corner of the wood -- an illusive, fragrant something that made the heart glad, In places the wild muscadine and scuppernong vines stretched from tree to tree, making arbours which were always full of butterflies and buzzing insects. It was delightful to lose ourselves in the green hollows of that tangled wood in the late afternoon, and to smell the cool, delicious odours that came up from the earth at the close of day.”
The above was written by none other than Helen Keller, a young woman both deaf and blind. I am in the midst of reading aloud from her narrative The Story of My Life, and have been deeply impressed by the luxurious detail of her descriptions. It was difficult to choose only the two examples above!
As I read through passages filled with fragrance, texture, rhythm, and even elements of sound and sight, I marvel: How few people with all their senses enjoy the world about them so richly?
Helen Keller was without eyesight or hearing, but she was able and ready to absorb all the beauty about her. Her soul had eyes that saw many things we fail to notice. How many of us, with bright eyes and healthy ears, fail to regard the loveliness surrounding us? If you lost these senses, would it make any difference in your attitude?
Photographs: Mimosa Blooms. © Shirley Buxton. Helen Keller and Miss Sullivan. Helen Keller. Unknown sources.
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LINDA said...
“How few people with all their senses enjoy the world about them so richly?” It is so true that we often fail to see what is right before our eyes. Helen Keller was such an amazing person. Thank you for all of these reminders and posts about her and her teacher. They’ve truly blessed me.
God bless,
Linda
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 08:18 AM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Welcome, Linda! Thank you for commenting.
Helen Keller was indeed an amazing woman, and there is much to be learned by her example of “noticing.” Of course, we must realize that she was not a perfect person; she was, among other things, a socialist and a feminist. Still, I have really enjoyed perusing her works and sharing them with you all. I am hoping for time to soon publish her essay “Three Days to See.”
Thursday, April 17, 2008 01:01 PM
Friday, April 11, 2008