Among Red Cedars

Walk along the earth on paths that have felt the feet of man for thousands of years. Stand in the spray of water that has traveled the world over and watch it tumble down boulders in a display so wild and wonderful that your heart ceases to beat in the ordinary way and tunes itself to the roar of the waterfall.

Feel the sun burn down upon your face and the wind brush tears of joy from your eyes and you have been with me for the past few days.

Picnic in the clouds among red cedars and the scent of damp red earth. Listen to the laughter of people from all over the world as they pass in groups of families and friends, here to be joined together in a world that has no agenda except to be, as fully as it can.

Nature in all its glory and all its extremes -- what more can there be in life than this? Perhaps love? Love that comes in all shapes and sizes, all ages and sexes. Mothers carrying babies in packs upon their backs. Elderly walking along with canes planted firmly on the ground. Children and teenagers, people in wheel chairs and people carrying seventy pound packs. They are all here, a tiny sample of all that is the best in this world and for a few short days I was part of it once more and I remembered why I love this world, these people, this life!

Last night we built a campfire in the back yard and gathered round to roast marshmallows and savor the joy of each other. Today everyone went back to their old lives, but they left this sacred space, this beautiful time, this succession of perfect moments with a sense of what living is really about.