Mountains to the Sea

I do not know why we were gifted four days alone in Colorado. We didn’t anticipate such, nor did we desire it, but it happened. The plane landed in Denver, and we drove away from the airport to a state park in a new Toyota mini van. We spent our time outdoors, awed by the beauty of mountains and red rocks, gulches running with water, and hiking trails through Aspen groves. We walked on a mesa and saw rainbows. Lightning split across the sky. Old timers told us Colorado was greener than it had been in 15 years. The peace of God truly restored my soul in a place of such majesty and quietness.

We found God’s people in a Denver guesthouse where we worshipped on Sunday along with the houseparents and seven youth girls. It was a secure place and we’ll long remember the blessing of fellowship. (We relate to mission settings.)

Afterwards, we went to Kansas. That’s where the relatives are. It will always be home (to me). I like to sit on my folks’ front porch and ponder how l walked through the halls of the overgrown hospital across the way. The hospital’s windows are darkened and ghostly.

My dad came home from the hospital the day before we arrived. We spent quality time with them and also with Laurence’s parents at the Manor. Tea on Main, meeting the Penners twice in a barn setting, my family stopping by, visits with cousins, reading to the great nephews, biking around Halstead, and bumping into unexpected friends, etc., made for a wonderful time.

The plane landed at LGA and shortly we were home in Elmhurst. The best place of all. Friday we boarded the Rockaway Ferry at Wall Street for a 55-minute ride to the beach. We walked in the sand and ate empanadas on the boardwalk. Waves dashed against the shore; the grandeur of the sea made it seem like it is the best place to be.

The air has cleared. Customers at the farmer’s market today commented, “It was like the end of the world. The most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen.”

Now I need to take care of the two quarts of dill pickles I’m making with the small local cucumbers from the market. Thank you for being interested. Berniece