A Clearing Amidst the Storm

 A Clearing Amidst the Storm

I tried. Twice. But the road was washed out so going on the Cat Walk was a no-go. I was so bummed. Planned this stop at Gila to see the stars and take a hike only to be holed up in a casita among the mountains. 

You know what? It wasn't bad at all. 

I finally slept. I finally had my time. Some people wouldn't leave me alone so I had to detach myself and just say, I don't feel like talking. It was liberating. I had a slice of peace and quiet that I'd been looking for a long, long time. It was short-lived, but the taste is still with me. 

Finally, there was a light -- the sun was peeking out from the days-old cloud cover. Could I possibly see the stars that night? And then the clouds rolled in again. I monitored the weather and thought maybe, just maybe they'll clear up so I can just see what I've been imagining this would look like for months. Around 8:30 the clouds broke and lo, there were the stars. I could see the belt of the galaxy. There it was, finally. 

The clouds rolled back in about 40 minutes later, but I got to see them. I guess that's just what life is, storms rolling in, storms rolling out. What do you do with the time when they're there? And what do you do with the time they're not? How are you taking full advantage of the time given to you? These are things that rolled into my mind while I was aghast at the magical splendor of it all. 

No new epiphanies, just more time with myself. I'm finally starting to sleep well at night, the first time in a long time. I'm comfortable by myself, with myself. I'm taking advantage of the time I have. I'm just so exhausted by everything up to this point. This is respite. This is renewal. Not mind-blowing every day or each moment mind you, but a constant movement nonetheless. 

Today I leave Gila and head to my next casita near the Petrified Forest. Ironically it's going to be clear tonight, but I'm not sure about driving to and from the park in the dark. Hopefully, I can just walk outside and see it. There's still Joshua Tree. Regardless, I will enjoy the time at each place, even if that time is just laying around and being still. As scripture says, Be still and know I am God. I look forward to that time with God and his creation. It's truly magical. 

Well there goes that idea of hiking the Cat Walk, again

But what a view from my room!

I went back to try again, but alas. Still, it was an incredible sight to see. 



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