For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Amy, whose unique blog The World Is a Book, set the topic this week with two key words: Precious Moments. And since Bert and I will be celebrating our 53rd Wedding Anniversary on December 27th of this year, we’re reflecting on just a few of our many precious moments and good times.
One constant in our marriage is a love of travel even if we just took short trips to visit our parents, attended an out-of-town football game, or combined business with pleasure. But little did we know when we married how many precious moments would create the patchwork of interesting times, people, and places that is our life together.
Like the time we climbed hundreds of steps in 105-degree weather to gaze at a sight we’d only seen in books — the town of Manarola in Cinque Terre, Italy (pictured above) — and, almost as if we had rehearsed it, said to each other, “Can you believe we’re here? Finally here?”
Another precious moment? The day we stood on the steps of NR. 125, an elementary school in Bucharest, Romania, with a team of Habitat for Humanity volunteers from the U. S. and our leaders (on the first row) from Bucharest. We were smiling: tired but proud to have renovated a building, making it safe for kids who would be arriving for school in just a few weeks.
In another year with yet another group of Habitat workers, we took time after building a concrete house in Lesotho to go on safari at The River Lodge at Thornybush Game Reserve near Kruger National Park. Just imagine the precious moment as our Jeep came to a stop, putting us face-to-face with this majestic king of beasts. (I could hold my breath and refrain from speaking, but I couldn’t silence the camera clicks. Yes, nervous!)
Equally majestic was this face as well — one of four facing north, south, east, and west — on the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu. As we walked the perimeter of one of the grandest stupas in Nepal, we barely spoke to one another, respectful of the Buddhist pilgrims joyful at finally reaching their long-awaited destination and the priests unrolling their mats, kneeling, and bowing to say the prayers of their faith.
Not all precious moments occurred in full light. One October morning when almost no tourists could be found on Monhegan Island, Maine, we left our bed-and-breakfast, sauntered past clapboard houses in the dark, and stood alone as pinkish light, pale and early, bathed the lighthouse with ribbonlike colors of dawn. I was indeed a special morning in Maine.
But for all the places in the world, the people, buildings and famous sites, there are still no moments more precious than the ones we’ve spent with family. Whether we’re home in Knoxville with our “kids” (OK, they’re grown, but we still call them “kids”), on a sandy beach together or just rocking our granddaughter, our best moments are with the ones we love.
May you, too, share many precious moments with the people you hold dear.
Rusha and Bert
If you would like to read about more Special Moments, head to Amy’s blog, The World Is a Book. And if you’d like to add your post to the list, be sure to link here and add the Lens-Artists tag.
justbluedutch
This post is so inspiring. Congratulations to you both and keep making golden memories together.
Oh, the Places We See
We’re hoping for relief soon from the pandemic in foreign countries so we can travel again. Until that time, however, we’re content to see more of the good ol’ USA!
Lokesh Sastya
đź‘Ť
Ritva Sillanmäki Photography
53 years, congratulations 🍾, lovely memories
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I feel very fortunate that someone has loved me and put up with me for so long.
pattimoed
What a wonderful retrospective of precious moments, Rusha. I love the wedding photo and the one with you and your granddaughter. Your shot of Cinque Terre is terrific, too! Have a wonderful anniversary and a joyful 2021.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. I’ve had many, many precious moments. It was hard just to narrow them to a few! Now, that’s a blessing.
pattimoed
Absolutely! And a wonderful attitude to life, too!!
Leya
Thank you for sharing some wonderful precious moments! And Happy Anniversary! So many years – we have reached 42 and think that is much – but you beat us thoroughly! Love you and your grandchild, Rusha. Love is shining around you!
Oh, the Places We See
When you’ve been married 42 years, there’s no turning back!!! We can’t imagine being married to anyone else, and we still make each other smile. Wishing you more great years to come!
Leya
Well – you are a very happy couple, you two! Cheers to that and for many more years for you!
Carolyn Pearre
Rusha, I loved your post, especially the pictures. Happy Anniversary!!!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much! Every anniversary is welcome at this age!!!
Sue
What a lovely post, Rusha!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much! I liked the topic as well!
Sue
I haven’t done mine yet!
Annie and Steven Berger
Reading your post has given me so much pleasure this morning. 53 years, amazing. Glad you and loved ones are healthy and safe.
Steve
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. Our lives have been good ones, and we don’t take that for granted. Best wishes for happy holidays and a better new year!!
Tina Schell
Beautiful post Rusha – your world travels are wonderful but nothing beats that image of you with your granddaughter! They grow up so darned fast, don’t they? Mine turned 14 this year….sigh. Congrats on your anniversary – wow 53 years! Kudos to you both.
Oh, the Places We See
That little granddaughter is now 11 going on 18! And she wants “big girl” gifts for Christmas! Where DID that time go? Thanks for always reading and commenting. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
WanderingCanadians
Congrats on the upcoming wedding anniversary! Glad to hear (and see) that the past 53 years have been filled with such precious moments.
Oh, the Places We See
We’ve had a great life together, but after reading your posts, I can truthfully say we haven’t wandered enough! Here’s to a new year with new adventures for all!
Toonsarah
It’s wonderful to see some of the special moments from your travels. We too loved the Cinque Terre and I’m always very happy to see big cats in the wild 🙂 But I’m yet to visit Kathmandu – your experience there sounds especially precious!
Oh, the Places We See
We have loved all our travels, some more than others, of course. But each place has something unique to remember. Here’s to traveling again . . . Maybe in 2021!!!
Toonsarah
Oh I do hope so!!
maristravels
You deserve the best. Here’s to a better 2021 and may life give you all you want and hope for.
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much. We feel that our lives have been golden, and we hope we have a few mire good trips in the coming months/years. Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Nancy Stanley
I loved every “precious moment” of this post! Love you and Bert too!
Oh, the Places We See
Thanks so much! Hope we can see each other before Christmas. Would love to catch up!
Amy
Thank you, Rusha for sharing your precious moment with us. I love your beautiful wedding photo and granddaughter. I remember the images of your humanity volunteering works. I admire all the works you have contributed for these places.
Oh, the Places We See
We’ve loved our lives so far, but maybe the best is yet to come, as they say! I do hope 2021 is a better year!