I’ve been fascinated with the Western skies and the Western deserts for as long as I can remember. The thought of them summon up romantic notions and nostalgic memories in my mind. The sense of God’s hand painting a canvas over the horizon at sunset with the colors of red and orange engulfing the mind gives me a feeling of serenity and hope and peace.
This year on a trip through the Mojave Desert I witnessed, what is being called, a once in a lifetime phenomenon. Looking out the car window as we rode across the desert I began to notice that the Joshua Trees were all in full bloom. Not just one or two as I had seen in the past but most all of them were covered in white clusters of flowers.
We were driving on I-15 North, near Joshua Tree National Park, on a trip from California to Wyoming.
The Joshua trees are native to the Mojave Desert and grow exclusively in the Southwestern United States. The name Joshua tree was given by a party of Mormon settlers who crossed the Mojave desert on their way West in the mid 19th century. It is said that these trees reminded them of a biblical story about Joshua reaching his arms to the sky in prayer and they thus considered this as a spiritual sign of welcome to this land.
To many the Joshua tree has become a symbol of the pioneering spirit and strength of the people of the American West.
To me, seeing the Joshua trees in bloom reminded me of the many blessings in my life. It reminded me to always remember to say THANK YOU for all that I am fortunate enough to have received.
~ Life is indeed Good ~