As the first day of the year began to fade, the trails winding around our home in our gated community beckoned with a quiet, enchanting charm. The air carried a crisp freshness, the kind that nipped at your nose and cheeks—a reminder that winter still held the season in its grasp. But Cecile and were dressed for it, wrapped in cozy layers that kept the cold at bay, allowing us to fully savor the beauty of the moment.
As we walked, the sunset began its magical performance. Soft whispers of pink spilled across the blue horizon, blending with bold strokes of orange and gold, as though an unseen artist was painting the sky just for us. Floating clouds drifted lazily, tinged with the softest blush of color, while the backdrop of the Santa Cruz Mountains stood steadfast, their peaks cradling the vibrant display.
The first sunset of the year unfolded in full glory, a masterpiece of fleeting beauty. Yet, I couldn’t help but think of how often we let our minds wander—caught up in to-do lists, memories, or daydreams. How many sunsets had we missed?
The sky’s colors deepened into royal blue and violet, the transition as smooth as the turning of a page. The trees stood like guardians, as their dark silhouette etched the brightening hues of the sky, and the mountains stood silent, as if to say, “This is just the beginning.”
As the last rays of sunlight dipped behind the mountains, we turned back home, our hearts full. The cold air nipped a bit harder now, but it didn’t matter. The trails, alive with nature’s gifts, seemed to carry the colors of the sunset with us—a vivid reminder to cherish the beauty waiting just above, if only we remember to look up.
