Belmont High School - Campanile Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Life Is Pleasant I AM STANDING at the eastern window of my house. The sun is rising back of the hills to the East and sets off in sharp outline the lines of the Baldwin Hills. To the South and West lies the headland of Palos Verdes still in the soft grey shadows of the morning, and farther west the still dark waters of the Pacific. Almost before I can realize the change, the dark hills to the north have changed to a pale purple, and the tall eucalyptus trees in the glen where the lines of hills dip down stand out clearly in the early morning glow. The meadowlark outside my win- dow is singing a merry tune, and the mocking bird continues the concert which began last evening when I went to bed. Now the whole scene is bright, with sunlight. The road up the hjjf invites me to stroll and see the coun- tryside in the freshness of the morn- ing. Outside my door the sun is now striking full against the east exposure, and I stand here a few moments to enjoy the warmth of the sun and ab- sorb some of the optimism of a bright morning. , There he goes! A rabbit leaps from the long grass of the empty lot next door and goes bounding across the street into the tall grass. My dog, filled with the exhilaration of a new day and forgetting past experience, leaps off in pursuit, but quickly discovers that eleven years of life can scarcely compete w ith young wild life. Panting, she returns to rest at the bottom of the steps. No rabbit can interest her now. Now the sun is bright enough for me to see the silver flash of the ocean. I should like to go down there this morning but I can ' t. I must start to work soon. Here comes the boy who lives next door. He ' s up a little early this morning because he has a new pony, and must ride this morning up the canyon before he goes to school. There he goes bareback, dashing down the hill into the canyon behind the house. I ' d like to do the same. If I had a horse, perhaps I might. What a sight across the canyon! The sunlight falls sharply on the embankment, back of the Whitely house, and brings out into a bright strip of color the lavender flowers that cover the whole back lawn. The flowers in the garden behind my garage seem much brighter this morning. Perhaps that is because there was a strong wind last night that made the air clear and, dry. Those spots of gold over there on the ground are grapefruit that fell off the tree during the wind. Even the goldfish in the fountain pool seem shinier than ever before. The breakfast room invites me with the familiar perfume of coffee. I shall enjoy it more this morning, because I have filled myself with the joy of the fresh morning life. I have had only thirty minutes of this peaceful joy this morning, but if the day brings me only the hardest tasks to perform, I shall be able to meet them more cheerfully. But I know that I shall meet youth at work today and my task will be pleasant. I shall see youth, fine and noble, reflecting the brilliance of the day and expressing the vigor of life. This is a happy thought. Then, too, I know that the moon will shine tonight, and that before I go to bed I shall be able to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of this pleasant spot. After all life is pleasant. Alfred L. Benshimol Principal [14]