See Beautiful "Just Breathe"

 It has been a very busy busy

summer for Bert and I.  Between the

loss of loved ones, family illnesses,

working two full time jobs and still trying

to be sure that we keep up on our volunteer

work at the hospitals and such, it has felt

like we are on a spinning Ferris wheel,

and it is speeding up faster and faster.

 Finally one day this last week,

I could take it no more.  John and I headed

 up the mountains for a day of hiking, riding and

moose hunting.  I had really missed the moose

this year, I had missed the feel of the forest

breezes, the silent evenings, the gentle

saunter of the great giant of the mountains.

 

I am sorry to say that I left my buddy Bert

behind on this trip.  I tried to make it up to

him by taking him swimming the next day and

I think he has forgiven me.

 

John and I were so fortunate to find

five of our old friends before the evening

sunset started to spread across the sky.

 

They are starting to rub the itchy velvet

off their antlers and preparing for the

rut.   Still in a bit of a lazy summer mood

they allowed us to watch them from a

distance for hours.

 All of the pictures on this post were taken

by John.  I was so involved in watching

and sharing space with them, I rarely took

out my camera.  These great beasts

were allowing me to be a "Watcher".

 

I stood some 100 to 200 feet from them while

they swam, ate and even sparred with each other

until the sun started to sink behind the mountain.

 

John and I moved on, making our way

back to our vehicle as we thought we had

seen all we were going to see.

 

On the way back, we came across two huge

bulls that we hadn't seen before.  Both

walking around in a small pond nibbling off

water greenery.  They were magnificent.

 

I found myself almost in a trance as

I watched them peacefully enjoying their

evening.  The sunset sky was a brilliant

fluffy pink, the air was crisp with a chill

from the oncoming storm.

 

Unbelievable.

Lost for a time in this world of the giants,

I didn't realize that one of the big

moose was now leaving the pond.

 

I was focused on the beauty of the sky for a

moment, but then turned back to

see how "the boys" were doing.

Much to my surprise and shock one of

"The Boys" was approaching me.  He was

about 40 feet in front of me and still

ambling in, straight to me.

 

 

I wanted to be afraid as I looked into his

eyes, realizing I had placed myself in an

unprotected situation.   There was nothing to

hide behind, no trees, no boulders, just me,

in the middle of a big sage brush meadow.

 

As he continued to shorten the space

between us, 15 feet, 10 feet......

I realized in stead of being

afraid at that moment, I was actually

"Breathing"  "Just Breathing"

deep, long lung filling breaths.

 

Something I hadn't allowed myself

to do all summer long.

It was a "See Beautiful" moment.

 

I figured it was my last "See Beautiful" moment

and I stood in awe waiting for  the great animal

to tromp me to death.

 

Obviously he didn't, because I am here

now, writing this.   It was a truly

amazing moment as he walked up to

about 5 feet from me, then looking me

in the eye, he sidestepped me and casually

walked on by. 

 

And what did I do.

 

"Breathe, Just Breathe"

and thanked my Father in Heaven

for such a beautiful experience.

 

join me now as I celebrate this
"See Beautiful Friday"