I woke up this morning thinking about how many family members, friends, and just acquaintances I have attended funerals or memorial services for. Do not ask me for a number, because the figure would make both our minds reel And this is not to discount the services I did not attend for one reason or another. I guess this all started forming in my little mind last week when I was up on the mountain with a friend and he wanted me to see a water fall higher up the trail. Little cars like mine only go so high on rocky roads so we had to walk a ways. So off we started.
Pretty soon I was huffing and puffing like "the little engine that could" did in that book I used to read to the kids. I thought we were probably almost to the top and turned around to look back at where the car was. Hell! I could still read the small print on my bumper sticker! We were 7 minutes into our hike and I was pretty sure it was going to be a long day, but with him cheering me on and by sheer determination on my part I made it a few more yards. I looked back at the car and back up at the mountain. I knew who was going to win this one and it was not me! I muttered something about being a little out of shape and the dear soul took pity on me. He was not going to make me march all the way to the top of Mount Princeton or wherever we were. ( I think he knew who would be carrying my lifeless body back down and he was not really up to that task.)
He left me setting on a rock and came back very soon to tell me that there was a beautiful view right around the bend in the road. Thank the Lord for small favors. So we spent a little time enjoying the babbling brook and just communing with nature. The glory of the mountains is the serenity and the closeness of God. There is no need for conversation with the majesty of the beautiful Rocky Mountains surrounding you. It is something I wish everyone in the world could enjoy for just a little while. It is a peace that stays with me for a very long time when I come home.
So once more, with my feet firmly planted on the terra firma of my flatland home, I can access the situation that brought me to the realizations I face this morning.
#1. I am fat and out of shape.
#2. I am, while I hate to use the term "old", definitely over the hill and picking up speed.
#3. The beautiful vistas of my home state of Colorado may best be viewed from the passenger seat of an air conditioned car parked on one of the scenic overlooks the National Forest Service built for my enjoyment.
#4. The rod and reel I bought when I got my fishing license (which is also another story) may just stay over there in the corner because I may not be agile enough to climb up and down the banks of any river where said fish may be located!
But once more I have digressed, but would you really expect anything less of me? No! And therein lies the beauty of why you continue to read these blogs! You think I may actually someday say something worth repeating.
Pretty soon I was huffing and puffing like "the little engine that could" did in that book I used to read to the kids. I thought we were probably almost to the top and turned around to look back at where the car was. Hell! I could still read the small print on my bumper sticker! We were 7 minutes into our hike and I was pretty sure it was going to be a long day, but with him cheering me on and by sheer determination on my part I made it a few more yards. I looked back at the car and back up at the mountain. I knew who was going to win this one and it was not me! I muttered something about being a little out of shape and the dear soul took pity on me. He was not going to make me march all the way to the top of Mount Princeton or wherever we were. ( I think he knew who would be carrying my lifeless body back down and he was not really up to that task.)
He left me setting on a rock and came back very soon to tell me that there was a beautiful view right around the bend in the road. Thank the Lord for small favors. So we spent a little time enjoying the babbling brook and just communing with nature. The glory of the mountains is the serenity and the closeness of God. There is no need for conversation with the majesty of the beautiful Rocky Mountains surrounding you. It is something I wish everyone in the world could enjoy for just a little while. It is a peace that stays with me for a very long time when I come home.
So once more, with my feet firmly planted on the terra firma of my flatland home, I can access the situation that brought me to the realizations I face this morning.
#1. I am fat and out of shape.
#2. I am, while I hate to use the term "old", definitely over the hill and picking up speed.
#3. The beautiful vistas of my home state of Colorado may best be viewed from the passenger seat of an air conditioned car parked on one of the scenic overlooks the National Forest Service built for my enjoyment.
#4. The rod and reel I bought when I got my fishing license (which is also another story) may just stay over there in the corner because I may not be agile enough to climb up and down the banks of any river where said fish may be located!
But once more I have digressed, but would you really expect anything less of me? No! And therein lies the beauty of why you continue to read these blogs! You think I may actually someday say something worth repeating.
Peace to all of you and may the road that lies before you be one you are eager to travel!
