Sunday, December 21, 2008
Just the other day I was taking a sunset walk with my husband and our dogs. As I gazed around me I noticed and commented on just how beautiful the sky was, noting the fluffy white clouds and their unusual and interesting formations and shapes. I made the comment that I want to appreciate each and every day and enjoy the beauty of the life around me.
I am a nature enthusiast, I always have been. When I was a child the times I remember most are times that I spent outdoors; swimming, fishing, water skiing, walking, hiking, camping out, and singing around a campfire. The sound and smell of a crackling campfire was a favorite.
I have kept up my outdoor activities even as an adult. One time comes to mind as a very memorable moment. One beautiful day, when our youngest son Trey was about 12 years old, we decided to go on a hike together. We had done quite a bit of hiking and that day we went to an area where we heard was breath-taking; with red rocks and cliffs.
As we hiked up the red rock, some areas were fairly tricky as we climbed seemingly straight up the rocks at particular points. We reached a high point; several hundred feet above where we began. The sky was bright, beautiful and clear – we could see forever.
As we began our descent I realized this hike was a bit more challenging than I had anticipated. Trey went ahead of me, and had little trouble scampering down the mountainside. At one point, in my effort to keep up, I hurried a little more than I should have and my foot slipped. I lost my balance and fell forward, out-of-control. I was heading straight over the edge of a steep cliff – and I knew I was in real trouble.
I had only one chance, in front of me, by the grace of God, stood a majestic sahuaro – king of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. In a millisecond I had to choose between plowing into a very prickly cactus at full speed or going over the edge of a cliff.
I put out my right hand to brace my impact into the sahuaro. In an instant I hit it straight on, falling backward to the ground. Stunned, I looked around and saw the certain injury and likely death that would have resulted if the sahuaro had not been there. Looking around, it was the only sahuaro in the near vicinity.
Amazed, I looked down at my right hand that had taken the full cactus impact. There was not a single prickle puncture anywhere on my hand, just a little redness from the impact and no pain. My heart was racing, I could not believe what just happened, I was in awe – I knew God had intervened. It was not my time to go.
My attention quickly went to Trey, he was just below me and saw what had happened, he frantically called, “Mom, are you alright??” My heart sank as I thought about what would have happened if instead of falling into the sahuaro I had gone over the edge. There was no one around within miles; this was a number of years before cell phones were prevalent and it would have taken him at least an hour to get to the bottom in a normal descent. I know he would have been devastated. The thought of such a thing happening was a nightmare. Pondering what might have been caused an overwhelming feeling of sadness, and knowing what happened brought a great feeling of joy and appreciation for life.
I knew in that instant that I had more to do; that I was here on a mission and that I was being watched over. This lesson put special emphasis on valuing my life and not taking anything for granted. There is no need to get hung up on the trivial stressors of day-to-day life. I am grateful to be alive; there is so much beauty and good in life, in our surroundings, in nature. That day I learned a very valuable lesson: enjoy each and every day but no need to participate in high risk activities as I am meant to be here to do even more to help others.
I am a nature enthusiast, I always have been. When I was a child the times I remember most are times that I spent outdoors; swimming, fishing, water skiing, walking, hiking, camping out, and singing around a campfire. The sound and smell of a crackling campfire was a favorite.
I have kept up my outdoor activities even as an adult. One time comes to mind as a very memorable moment. One beautiful day, when our youngest son Trey was about 12 years old, we decided to go on a hike together. We had done quite a bit of hiking and that day we went to an area where we heard was breath-taking; with red rocks and cliffs.
As we hiked up the red rock, some areas were fairly tricky as we climbed seemingly straight up the rocks at particular points. We reached a high point; several hundred feet above where we began. The sky was bright, beautiful and clear – we could see forever.
As we began our descent I realized this hike was a bit more challenging than I had anticipated. Trey went ahead of me, and had little trouble scampering down the mountainside. At one point, in my effort to keep up, I hurried a little more than I should have and my foot slipped. I lost my balance and fell forward, out-of-control. I was heading straight over the edge of a steep cliff – and I knew I was in real trouble.
I had only one chance, in front of me, by the grace of God, stood a majestic sahuaro – king of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. In a millisecond I had to choose between plowing into a very prickly cactus at full speed or going over the edge of a cliff.
I put out my right hand to brace my impact into the sahuaro. In an instant I hit it straight on, falling backward to the ground. Stunned, I looked around and saw the certain injury and likely death that would have resulted if the sahuaro had not been there. Looking around, it was the only sahuaro in the near vicinity.
Amazed, I looked down at my right hand that had taken the full cactus impact. There was not a single prickle puncture anywhere on my hand, just a little redness from the impact and no pain. My heart was racing, I could not believe what just happened, I was in awe – I knew God had intervened. It was not my time to go.
My attention quickly went to Trey, he was just below me and saw what had happened, he frantically called, “Mom, are you alright??” My heart sank as I thought about what would have happened if instead of falling into the sahuaro I had gone over the edge. There was no one around within miles; this was a number of years before cell phones were prevalent and it would have taken him at least an hour to get to the bottom in a normal descent. I know he would have been devastated. The thought of such a thing happening was a nightmare. Pondering what might have been caused an overwhelming feeling of sadness, and knowing what happened brought a great feeling of joy and appreciation for life.
I knew in that instant that I had more to do; that I was here on a mission and that I was being watched over. This lesson put special emphasis on valuing my life and not taking anything for granted. There is no need to get hung up on the trivial stressors of day-to-day life. I am grateful to be alive; there is so much beauty and good in life, in our surroundings, in nature. That day I learned a very valuable lesson: enjoy each and every day but no need to participate in high risk activities as I am meant to be here to do even more to help others.
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