How many times have I traveled this road as it bends and curves?
Enough lately so I dare to look around and let the Journey carry me.
It strains to climb.
Carmine and golden hills surround me.
This is ski country after all.
My dad says this road was once an Indian trail that led from Petoskey to Alpena.
Gray balls billow and puff around the sun.
Yellowed leaves flutter downward to join their piled browned siblings as trees strip naked and brace themselves against certain cold.
I slow for a rafter of wild turkeys that amble across the road.
A hawk perches high above the road’s shoulder.
I stop to snap a photo of a concrete shell, emptied of life.
And a sudden explosion of wagoned and winding color demands pictures.
I drink it up.
And then from the top of the next rise, the windshield fills with a view of the the bay that stretches to Lake Michigan that stretches past the horizon.
I know it’s coming, but still it makes me gasp.
I turn Shaun Groves up even louder until the music vibrates in my chest.
Hush away the hurry
Put to rest the worry
Come to quell and quiet me
In this moment given
Slow and fully live it
Drink up all the passing peace
Awake my soul to live this moment
Awake my soul,
give thanks and hold it
Dear now
God is here now
Awake my soul.
The Journey knows the way.
I pass the clinic and the hospital on the left, drive parallel to the bay, stop at the light and waver between a left turn into Kilwins chocolates or a right turn toward the yellow cottage.
I turn right.
This time.
Lyrics from “Awake My Soul,” Third World Symphony, by Shaun Groves.
Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God.
~1 Peter 1:18
Even in the middle of the toughest days, you Deep See Dive. Love you, friend.
Love you more! Did you see the crosses? 🙂
Oh, glory. This is just beauty. You sure know how to find it, Sandy.
Thanks, my friend. I’m chasing words lately, and they seem to skitter away like little shrews.
This is a beautiful write. Evocative. Soft. Mellow and deep.
Lovely.
You have encouraged my heart with your joyful, grateful spirit during all of these difficult days Sandy. You are such a blessing.
Oh, those mums!!! Wow, Sandy – so grateful with you (and for you) that you found beauty even in these tough days of long trips, hard waiting and separation from family. Much love to you as you continue to commute. Such a journey.
Sandy,
You see in every moment, don’t you?
I think I’d like to be you when I grow up. Much love to you.
Your soul is truly awake … the chocolates are waiting!
Beautiful, Sandy. Photos and prose. I love coming to your blog, always something beautiful to see and read. Thank you for sharing with us!
Hush away the hurry. Love it. That’s what I intend to do at lunch…just hush it away.
So, beautiful Sandy… thank you for the colors and taking us with you… (as if you had a choice 😉 since we’re with you in spirit anyway!)