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| The Hills I view each morning |
This morning while ironing I looked out the living room window, I saw hills, sky and the pink kiss of the day's first smile bathing the
hills with it's glow. How I treasure seeing the hills. It is with a
continual sense of joy that I devour the sight of trees and hills. I do
not know if I shall ever live in a climate with brown, treeless hills,
but for now, I have the richness of all this green.
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| Mt. Rainier |
Growing up, I lived on a hill in a rural area outside Auburn,
Washington. Our home had large picture windows in every room that
looked out to the vast acres of dairy farms. On the horizon the majestic
Mt. Rainier framed every vista. I knew that mountain each morning as
the sunrise colored it peaks, pink and gold. Mom always cooked breakfast
for the family and we would start our day around the kitchen table,
day's first birds making their way across the lawn the mountain in our
view.
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| Eagle Creek |
I grew up enjoying woods, trees and views of field. I was
truly blessed. The love of nature was bound into my soul and always I
found my deepest joys in going to the hills. Early on I shared this love
of the mountains with my children. I remember their small faces as I
took them on the first mountain trail. The deep forest canopy awed them,
the sharp drops of the trail somewhat frightened them. I held fast to
the youngest ones hands and up we went, single mom with her four
children in tow.
Once my son who was about four at the time grew very fearful on a hiking trip and
suddenly made a break for it. He turned and ran down the trail as fast
as his little legs could take him. I called his name in vain as on he
went running fleeing for safety. I continued to call, and herded the other three
children back down the winding trail, carrying the smallest in my arms.
Finally at the bottom I caught up with my small son, winded by his
break-neck run down the trail. In vain I tried to talk him into going
back up the trail. He shook his head firmly, "No!" He was deadset
against trying it again, the trail was too foreign and frightening to
him.
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| View while hiking Eagle Creek |
There were other days and other trips and the children became accustomed to hiking. Eagle Creek in the Columbia Gorge became one of
our favorite spots. Once, we hiked almost ten miles up the trail, early
morning's sun creating shadowed patterns on the hills. I carried, (yes
carried a watermelon) and our lunch. We found a spot off the trail and
our feet dangling in the ice cold creek, small fish tickling our toes,
we ate our lunch. For dessert I broke the watermelon on a rock and we
sat eating the sweet, red fruit enjoying the clear mountain stream. My
children had lost their fear of the hills.
In my life, there have been many times, I've feared the
mountains ahead. Things have seemed too difficult, or frightening. Again
and again, I've placed my hand in God's hand and timidly stepped out
onto unknown trails. Sometimes like my small son, I've run back down the
trail away from the challenges, scared of the unknown. Later, bolstered
by prayer, reading my Bible the encouragement of loved ones I've tried
again. How glad I am that God is the author of second chances. How
I've needed them in my own journey.
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| Punch Bowl Falls at Eagle Creek |
Yesterday, facing the challenges of working at the treatment
center, I decided to start leaving the building for lunch. I stayed on
track with my eating with apples, cheese and yogurt. I enjoyed some
fresh air, sun and sights of spring, growth green. Coming back into the
treatment center, I heard my name being called, "Robin where were you?"
I could not
answer them, "I
was feeding my soul," but truly I was. The times I get away, to refresh,
regroup and refire are the times I build up the love bank in my soul.
God is good, I have so many moments in my day to rekindle my purpose, to
renew my commitment. It is essential in all of our lives to take those
moments, to create those memories and find our own mountain top
experiences.
Today may your journey include moments to enjoy the fingerprints of God in the beauty of nature.
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