“Be someone’s sunshine when their skies are grey.”

Yesterday was a difficult day for me personally – those days happen. Today, when I got up I determined, despite my difficulties, to make the most of it for Bella and I. Made my coffee to go, and went for a drive through Port Blandford, when the rain started. I decided to give Bella a good walk, so we drove on through Terra Nova to Sandy Cove Pond. It was spitting rain, but Bella deserved to run around a little after a couple of indoor days, so off we went. We ended up doing the whole trail, the rain held off, and the gloomy day actually brightened my heart as we got some exercise together and enjoyed the solitude on the trail. Sometimes the rain and wet accentuates the muted beauty – the lichen, the rocks, the trees, the groundcover.

And sometimes on the path, as in life, you have to cross bridges and streams, turn curves, walk in the rain, climb the hills, and move branches or trees that have fallen and are obstacles. And sometimes you’ll see the hard work of others along the way, and you’ll find a spot to rest, or be joined by an unexpected visitor. Or someone will reach out to encourage you. (That happened today – as I was walking I received a text from a dear friend, the end of which said “Longing to see you”.) How amazing is that – such an unexpected and uplifting message to my heart!

Well the beaver’s hard work was evident, the rest spot welcome and the unexpected visitor came in the form of a gray jay. Mom and I walked this trail many times and she always loved to hear and see the gray jays here and elsewhere, like Algonquin Park.

What a delight to get back to the parking lot with Bella, after enjoying her running free and smelling all the smells to be had, and come upon another group of gray jays waiting for us at the “finish line”. Bella kindly shared her treats with them, via my hand. They were so friendly and trusting, and it was such a special blessing to have that moment with them, as though they knew my soul needed a little uplifting.

We drove back to our Sanctuary by the Sea, as the sky brightened and lo and behold, a lovely rainbow was there waiting for us right over the lighthouse. I didn’t get a photo of it as Bella was anxiously anticipating breakfast, but it was a lovely reminder that no day stays grey forever.