The Big Sky. That’s what I call my view from my backyard. Every time I see this beauty of nature I remember meeting a brilliant and kind woman from Beijing. She had just been hired by the company my husband worked for when they opened a field office in Beijing. She’d had a long flight here from China.
I met her that evening, after her flight. She was telling everyone about what she saw when she woke up in the morning – a brilliant blue sky and white clouds. She had never seen that in her entire life. Beijing is so polluted that the sky is always gray.
She told the story like a child describing seeing snow or the ocean for the first time.
Count your blessings. They’re right under your nose, or right above your eyes.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Having traveled in the Far East I can certainly agree with you. Taipai was so dirty pieces of soot floated in the air and clung to your clothes.
Wow! That’s hard to imagine, John.
I wore white shirts and the collars and cuffs were black where my neck and wrists touched the fabric.
Terrible, John. I can’t imagine doing the laundry, much less living with that every day.
I would not want to see the lungs over there.
I wouldn’t want to, either. A thought that raises more questions than answers.
😀
Yes, we are so lucky in this beautiful country for the freedom to go about and look about anywhere, including wonderful skies.
Amen!
That is a wonderful story of deep gratitude. I would not want to live in Beijing. I left California when I could taste the air. I always appreciate my view, even the fact that I can see the view. You have some great clouds there.
Taste the air. Now that says a lot. We are lucky, and sometimes just need to stop and remember that – like when we see the big sky. Love those cloud shows!
Amazing! Always count your blessings. It’s the most powerful way to avoid negativity and improve happiness in daily life.
Thanks for sharing
Mike
Well said, Mike!
Oh I agree. We always need to Count our blessings Jennie 🙏🏼💜
So true, Ritu. Thanks! 🙂
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I went to stay with a friend who was working in Beijing, in 2000. We went up to the tall TV tower to get an overview of the city, and I said it was a shame it was so foggy. He told me it was not fog, but pollution covering the city 24/7.
However, you don’t have to travel too far outside that huge city, to be able to see blue skies.
Best wishes, Pete.
What a shame. And to think that people in the city don’t get away to see that beauty even when it’s not too far. Thanks, Pete.
Very true Jennie…x
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This made me so sad, Jennie. But I love that she got to see the wonderful big blue sky. So true that we shouldn’t take this beauty for granted. ❤
You are absolutely right, Diana. ❤️
I’m sure you will understand that, having grown up in Pittsburgh in the 50s and 60s, I sincerely appreciate every day I see a blue sky!
I certainly do, Dan!
Growing up in the Canadain prairies we saw the beautiful big sky every day. I have always been thankful for it. Now I have big blue skies here in Spain too. It’s a beautiful world. xo
Isn’t it just wonderful? You can look away for a minute and the sky and clouds have totally changed. I think the big sky is majestic. I’m so glad you have that in Spain, too. Thanks, Darlene.
Gratitude! ❤
❤️
Jennie, I completely agree. We should recognize and count our blessings.
Indeed!
That is so true, Jennie. We are enjoying beautiful clear blue skies at the moment. I constantly marvel at their beauty. I never tire of it. I understand the reaction of the woman from Beijing. I visited there for a week in 2005. Everything was grey with pollution and dust from the Gobi desert, which was constantly encroaching towards Beijing. Our unpolluted skies are so colourful in contrast. We have much to be thankful for.
You said it well, Norah! We are lucky and have much to be thankful for.
We sure do! 🙂
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Yes we take the blue sky and nature so much for granted.. We are blessed indeed ❤
Amen!
You are quite right, Jennie. There are blessings all around us.
Yes there are! 🙂
You are so right. We all should appreciate it more.
🙂
Beautiful reminder for us all! Thank you for sharing the Big Sky photo and the touching story … I adore the sky and its clouds, sunsets, its enthralling magic!
Thank you, Annika. It really is magic, something to be appreciated. 🙂
Beautiful story! And you’re very right about those blessings being right in front of us, Jennie! ☺
Thank you, Sarah! Yes they are. 🙂
Thanks for reminding us what a rare and special treat a truly blue sky really is.
You are welcome, Marcia. 🙂
We are truly blessed! Lovely reminder and story, Jennie. xo
Thank you, Rose. 🙂
It’s amazing what we take for granted.
Absolutely true, Lisa. 🙂
I love this story! As a photographer I am not a fan of clear blue or totally gray skies the majority of the time I’m out doing photography…well sometimes I want a gray sky, but mostly I yearn for big puffy clouds to act like a big soft box.
I can feel her joy at seeing those big, puffy, cumulus clouds! Sadly there are cities where the sky isn’t blue very many days of the days of year here now too.
Those big puffy cumulus clouds are like a happy painting across the sky. Seeing that for the first time had to be an amazing experience for her. Yes, sad when one cannot see blue. Thanks, Deborah!
Hi Jennie, Your blog was recommended to me by Ellen (“Gem”) who has a grandson Benjamin, so I’ve just arrived and read this story. It brought tears to my eyes to think someone would never have seen a lovely bright blue sky with white clouds. If you allow me to, I’d love to share this story on my blog because most, if not all, of my followers share my love of colour, nature and beauty. I’m scrupulous about providing a proper credit and linking back (to the original post and to the blog home). Would you please let me know if this is ok with you? Many thanks, Liz (New Zealand)
That is so nice, Liz. Thank you for your kind words! Of course you can share this story. Like you, I was so taken aback by her story. It is an important one to share. So, thank you.
Thanks so much Jennie! Is that your house in the photo with the big colourful koi carp hung outside?
Yes. It’s a big windsock hanging on the fence. My house is behind the photo.
Hi Jennie, I’ll reblog in about 5 hours time but I can’t give you a link as I’ll be asleep then! The link to my blog though is https://exploringcolour.wordpress.com/ and the post will be titled Sky Blue
Thank you so much!
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Thank you, Liz. 😀
Beautiful. Reblogging this to my sister site “Timeless Wisdoms”
Thank you!
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Thank you!
Fabulous post
Thank you.
Please read my post