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Finding Beauty Amidst the Ashes - Page 3

© Naomi Mathews

When we toured Washington D.C. last year, we saw many beautiful and historic sights. Our nation's Capitol was one of the highlights of our tour. It was a privilege to be able to attend a brief legislative session in the famous chamber where Congress meets to negotiate both national and international affairs. The Capitol rotunda left us totally speechless with its vast spectacular architecture. Beautiful landscapes and portraits painted by master artists of years gone by grace the huge walls of the rotunda and are simply breathtaking. Each day when we took the subway between Arlington, Virginia and Washington D.C. we had a fabulous view of the Pentagon. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of the Space Center and the Smithsonian Institute. The Washington Monument could be seen standing proud and tall from most any vantage point as we visited the many other historical places that surround Smithsonian Square.

We couldn't help but stand in awe at the indescribable beauty of our National Cathedral, both inside and out. This year, it was with heavy hearts that we watched the memorial service held in that legendary cathedral after the terrorist attack. We cried together with the mourners, with our country's leaders, with our fellow Americans, and with the whole world. We also rejoiced as we saw and felt the unity of the various political and religious leaders who participated in that memorable memorial service.

After the memorial service was over, I sought solace for myself in my humble backyard flower garden, wondering how I would cope under such dreadful circumstances. During our travels last summer we also toured many gorgeous gardens along the way that I photographed. So I took out my photo albums to revisit those beautiful gardens. The gorgeous garden pictured here is known as the "Bishop's Garden" and it graces one side of our National Cathedral. This lovely garden was especially meaningful to me when I was strolling through it a year ago, and is even more meaningful today. I believe gardens are special places where beauty, peace, solace, and perhaps a small measure of comfort can be found for those who have suffered such indescribable loss. For although gardens are planted and tended by human gardeners, the flowers, trees, and shrubs that grow there are beyond doubt the handiwork of God, the Divine author of beauty and peace.

As I share here a few of the many photos we took of historical places and beautiful gardens we toured, my prayer is that many who are now mourning the loss of family members, friends, and fellow Americans as the result of "Black Tuesday" will read this article and will once again - in time -- find "beauty amidst ashes."

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