Simple Things

The presence of the sun here in autumnal London is rare. Or if our daytime star happens to make an entrance, it is covered all too quickly by gray, unfeeling, homogeneous clouds. Days like today are truly glorious, then. I don't know if I have ever really felt that word, glorious, was more appropriate. The sky is clear of clouds, piercingly clear. The sun is given free rule of the sky, its warmth mitigated only by the cool wind, blowing just enough to make me hold my light sweater tightly to my body as I walk to class at 8 AM. The air smells fresh and the people I pass are all on their way to work or school or home, all in a hurry. It readies my mind - observing all around me and soaking up the energy on this weekday morning.

At school, we happily push the huge windows open and light streams in over the roofs and chimneys and church spires into our beautiful classrooms. The sun seeps into the whole room, sparkling off the honey-colored hardwood floors. We talk of set design and line endings, expressionism and revolutions. A hornet enters in on the discussion and angrily flies into the ceiling, attempting to break back into the air and the sun and the green life outside. I too, am lost if for one moment I contemplate the beautiful Regent's Park outside, just beyond the thick walls of 14 Gloucester Gate and my 2 hour class.

Finally, our lunch break is here. Three free hours. I get a small whole grain roll and some brown rice and seaweed from Whole Foods to go with my apple. I venture into a small cafe, advertised as having good prices, great food, and homemade jam. The latte I order is the best coffee I've had so far in my three weeks in London. Now this day can't go wrong. Lunch is a picnic with Wedekind's Earth Spirit and a friendly tree that lets me lean on its trunk and enjoy the warmth of the sun at last. The grass is dry even though it rained last night, and the lawn is bare except for myself. As I settle in to my little spot and begin to read, I can't help but contemplate where I am. I'm in LONDON for pete's sake! This little spot of grass is part of Regent's Park, one of the, if not the, loveliest park in London. London. The land of Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Tom Stoppard, Harold Pinter, and SHAKESPEARE! and I live here. here. this is my life, for now. I can no longer take the grass or the skyline for granted, for though this city has stood and will stand for centuries, the time I have here is fleeting. Barely enough time to figure out which way to look when I cross the street and what a real traditional English pub is like. I must not live in London, I must live London. For I may never come back.

The play is finished and it is time to head back to class. Surprisingly, I feel ready to engage in discussion about one of the oddest and most mystifying plays I have ever read. It's the sun I tell you, it works wonders on a weary mind. I am blessed to live here for this short time, and I will not forget it. I will cherish the sun and I will live to praise my Lord for who he is and what he has given me in this life. I can do no less.

~Lindsey