Friday, May 31, 2013

30

When my time has come and gone, when my passions have faded to memory, say not that I was glorious or brave, say not that I was fierce or strong. Instead look upon the spread of my life and find me capable. Find that all things I have done, I have done well. See that all adventures I've traversed, all people I've led, all paths crossed that I did so with a broken humility and a capable will. At the end when my words fade look upon my walk and say that I discovered Capability and dared to live it all of my days.

Cloud's Rest 5/24/2013

When I ascended the last few hundred feet of snow-capped rock to stand 10,000 feet above the deep valleys and roaring falls I expected to find God in my strength, to find direction at the height of my travels. I thought that when I came here, where clouds rest and sky breathes I would be met with a driving fire. And as I walked from behind my companions, to stand tallest and furthest before falling upon my knees I yearned and I strained for that quiet, thundering Voice to fill me, break me, lead me. I did not expect silence. I heard the wind and I heard the sun and I heard glory call but I did not hear Your voice and every weary fiber of me roared for it, demanded it until my heart was hoarse. Finally I stood up, 10,000 feet above noise and life and turned around. And it wasn't until then, until I turned around, climbed back over ancient rock to stand in the midst of my companions that I finally heard. I heard my brother and my cousin, my friends old and new and my love, weary and broken and fiercely proud. I heard laughter and pride and accomplishment and camaraderie waiting here before me on this lonely stretch of rock because they dared to trust me and dared to accompany me. And here I hear Your Voice sing.

Cathedral Lake 5/26/2013

I remember running feet and brisk mountain air, the smell of damp moss heady and sweet as the glint of clear, emerald streams flicker at the corners of my eyes. I remember those rising steps with rising breath as I climb the last few stretches of grey rock to stand tall above the breach...and see. See magnificence. See a heartbreaking beauty that sparkles with a deep, roaring blue as snow-drenched hills stand proud in the distance. Rich green trees dot the shore as far as the eye can glimpse and beyond that the promise of soaring peaks call to me, welcome me, dare me. This is adventure I see, this is beauty I find and my breath is stolen to dance with pure delight upon the shimmering waters before me.