More Thoreau

"Fishermen, hunters, woodchoppers, and others, spending their lives in the fields and woods, in a peculiar sense a part of Nature themselves, are often in a more favorable mood for observing her, in the intervals of their pursuits, than philosophers or poets even, who approach her with expectation. She is not afraid to exhibit herself to them." -from Walden, Ch. 11

When Nature truly exhibits herself, it is a perfect moment. I made a list:

My first solo sheep hunt.
My first trout on a dry fly.
Watching the Northern Lights from above the Arctic Circle.
Or the Southern Cross from 13,000 feet in the Andes Mountains.
Or the sunset from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, five miles above the seafloor.
Coming face to face with a bull elk.
Discovering the 121st Psalm.
Finding my first perfect arrowhead.
Sharing a fishing hole with bears.
Seeing Katie for the first time.
Holding Katie for the first time.
Holding Katie every time.
Watching her tummy grow.
Meeting Sophia.

Every encounter with Nature is wonderful, beautiful, inspiring..., but these are my perfect moments. Keep them coming, Lord.