where is that gratitude?
Thanksgiving time. Cooler temps mean being indoors up here in the mountains. More fire, more food, more friends! My best friend Morris is here visiting this weekend - Yeah!
Took a lovely drive up to the top of Mount Able via Cerro Noroeste. The ice crystals at the base of each tree were magically glowing in the minimal sunlight. Tampa boy hadn't seen snow in a while, but we went searching for some kinda frost. That was seriously our destination, frozen anything.
Arriving at the high elevation ridge top campground, we gazed into thick white air. The foggy forest glistened with moisture as sun beams streamed past statue like pines to create long tall vertical shadows. The sleek sapphire Saabaru glides into place in a perfectly flat dirt clearing. Out step three unprepared adults, ready to photograph nature, touch frozen pine needles and jump on the forest floor. Mostly cloudy, 34 degrees, with a wind chill of who knows what, us city folks were out and about examining nature - on a much needed holiday break.
As my two frantic friends jollied about in the chilly air, clouds zoomed overhead to a transparent high speed dream. The rich blue sky beyond appeared like a solid ceiling, but moving. The thin clouds above raced past us at the edge of the tallest tree tops. Shadows played upon one another. Sunlight sparkled every dew drop on the evergreens.
This is where I began to tear up. This beauty was astounding. As I squat down to leave my essence, the waft of cedar and pine hit my delicate nose. Here I am! Again. This is pure joy. Although my exposed ass is a bit cold, my life seems too dreamlike. I stop to deeply breathe in the freshest air.
Like children frolicking in the winter wonderland, we were all thrilled to be experiencing such a vision of a magical frosty forest. The vibrant green moss against the gray bark and foggy background. The dripping branches anointed us as we pranced about.
The gratitude I feel is unmeasurable. Heaven on Earth, the Universe, God, the Divine, Mother Nature, Zen moments, whatever you wanna call it. I thank the skies for it! Not each and every day, but often enough that the experience reminds me of my place on this planet, my task in life, my passions, my everything. Learning to appreciate more, bitch less, make more positive choices & changes in the world.
Give Thanks this Season (& every season)
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