This Morning, I Stopped to Photograph a Flower
It was a beautiful golden-orange zinnia with a deep red center and tiny drops of water resting on its petals. Something about its brilliant colors caught my attention. I moved closer, took a few photographs, and spent a little longer admiring it before continuing my walk. There was a time when I might have walked right past it without giving it a second thought. Lately, though, I've found myself paying closer attention to the world around me. Perhaps it's because I'm getting older. Perhaps it's because of everything I've experienced this year. Whatever the reason, I've come to appreciate these small moments in ways I never did before. When I started my early morning walks this summer, my intentions were simple. I wanted to get some exercise, regain my strength after surgery, and establish a healthy routine. I certainly never imagined that those walks would become one of the most rewarding parts of my day. But somewhere along the way, something changed. I began n...
