All of them.
....Those big red faces,
those large noses,
deep set eyes,
stoic lips and chins.
They are serious, all these faces,
ages of minding their own business,
silently
watching the world below.
There is power in these red rocks.
John and I feel it as we stand above, perched on top of Cathedral Rock, over looking the Sedona canyons.
It is obvious why this place exudes a sacredness and a Presence.
It is the finger print of a Creative God who delights in us, crafting towering slabs of granite; we can't help but gasp in awe.
The vastness of it all makes me feel as if I am a foreigner in an unknown land. I am struck by the beauty and fragility of life.
It is here we celebrate the successes of this past year. John was awarded Top Performer last year at work, and thus, we were awarded this amazing trip to Arizona.
It was a time for just the two of us, (thanks to the unwavering love of grandparents at home!)
It was a five day retreat into the red rocks of Sedona, under the most striking blue sky I have ever witnessed.
The temperature was chilly and one morning we awoke to the rocks dusted with snow; it was exhilarating to be alive in such radiant surroundings, to be so free.
We spent our time away playing, exploring, relaxing and reflecting.
Some times there was conversation; other times there was simply companionship.
This is part of our collection of shared experiences over the years, over the almost fifteen years of marriage together.
We hiked every day.
As we set out to climb, the towering rocks above me seemed impossible to maneuver.
When I gazed up at our goal destination high above me, fear began to seep in.
The rocks were so high, so out of reach, and the journey seemed treacherous as I analyzed the route.
Once we began, I focused on only the trail right before me, on the next step, the next ledge in which to put my foot.
I concentrated on the cracks and crevices in which to pull myself up and over.
And as we ascended the rocks, I was amazed every time I looked up.
We were indeed climbing,
rising,
going somewhere.
Together, the two of us; we were conquering this intimidating red giant.
And as we pulled ourselves up over the final ledge, we marveled at what was before us. What we saw was more magnificent than we could have imagined at the beginning of our climb.
We had faith that it would be worth it, but oh, we had no idea!
And in that moment on top of the mountain, I was suddenly struck with such clarity and insight into my life.
Perhaps it was a whispered word from God upon that sacred overlook. In my heart I felt that suddenly I understood what was expected of me in my life.
And suddenly the Giants we thought we had to conquer were gone; the fear of having to figure this whole thing out-this thing called Life- in an instant was vanquished.
And in its place was peace.
As we celebrated our victory at the top, John realized that ahead there was more.
The trail said "end," but beyond it was hints that this wasn't it.
So we continued, we explored, we cautiously traversed the opposite end of the canyon.
Fueled by our success and unexpected encounter with such bounty, we were zealous for more.
Our curiosity and efforts paid off because there was indeed more, so much more.
Perhaps life is lived in the crevices and the cracks;
it is the faithful plodding along, one step and then another.
And before long we look before us, and we marvel at how we got here.
And we gasp at the beauty of it all.
Beautifully written! It would ne a very powerful short story published in a magazine. 😊
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