Contemplating Life

  It is dark out as I write this blog – I have been awake since 3:00 a.m. My body hurts a lot and I have been lying in the dark contemplating our hike into the mountains yesterday. I have also been giving thanks for yesterday, and for the calm and peace I feel even though I know that was probably our final real mountain hike. For years, hiking in the mountains has been Rich and I’s “thing”. We love the beauty and stillness of the mountains and forests in Colorado and the rolling icy cold streams that scream to be waded in. We’ve even loved pushing ourselves to conquer a new and difficult trail. Yesterday, however, we almost bit off more than we could chew. Because of all the drama playing out in the world, we haven’t hiked in the mountains for four years (we’ve hiked in Kansas but that is a completely different ball of wax). In the meantime, Richard turned 78 and I had a stint in the critical care unit with my heart, so let’s just say we’ve “felt” the mountain hiking at a whole new le

  It is early and still dark as I write this. I am sitting in a cabin at the base of a mountain, one of my favorite places to be. I have always loved the mountains and for years going to the Rockies has been my restoration. In fact, for many years, going to the mountains was almost a desperate choice – as if I HAD to be there to get centered. Richard and I are not “touristy” and our time is spent hiking mountains and streams, breathing in the mountain air and glorying in God’s Presence in His creation. Somehow, with everything playing out inside me, coming here has always seemed to bring me to a place of peace and joy that eluded me elsewhere. This year is different, however. Whatever the totality of this thing that God is doing inside me, this clearing away and healing of the brokenness that bound me – this year is different. This year I didn’t “need” the mountains; I was already centered when I came here. This year I brought the peace and joy with me. Don’t get me wrong – I am enjo