Beauty surrounds us daily in all kinds of forms. Most of it, we take for granted or we are so engrossed in technology, we have no time or energy left for anything else. But when the weight of responsibilities, the hard disappointments of life, and our souls become overwhelmed by all the evil deeds we are forced to witness, we are drawn back to beauty that always reminds us that no matter how bad it gets, there is something we can grab on to that creates hope inside us when nothing else can.

The mountains, the canyons, the forests, the rivers, and valleys remind us that something bigger than us exists. Beauty leads us to the Almighty God. It connects us to Him for the rest of our lives. Beauty has the ability to challenge us, develop our character, and teach us lessons in life. Children instinctively know this and are drawn to the outdoors which has the ability to heal us and comfort us.

Over the years, wise men of honor and character have recognized this and have protected these sacred places. Let us hope we still have men and women of honor in high places of power that have the courage to protect and care for that which God entrusted to all of us and not be blinded by status, power, or greed. Our very souls are at risk if they do otherwise.

Yu/stan/kema,

Pat Eagleman.

“Katherine Lee Bates wrote, America The Beautiful. The first stanza of her poem, song says it all:

O beautiful for spacious skies,

For amber waves of grain,

For purple mountains majesties

Above the fruited plain!

America! America!

God shed His grace on thee

And crown thy good with brotherhood

From sea to shining sea! “

KATHERINE LEE BATES