Wandering around the Denver Botanic Gardens this week, I noticed how different the flowers are in August than they were during my visit at the end of June. It is an island of paradise in the middle of the city and a place where the immersion in color and sheer variety of plant life is inspiring. I was soaking in the beauty and being aware that it is here, right in front of us, in spite of the dreadful news we hear everyday. For my time at the gardens, I relished this fact, breathed in what was in my immediate vision and rejoiced for these calm spaces.