Rocky Mountain Hi!

Hi Folks!



I just returned from a blessed trip to Colorado. I always feel so alive when I'm there - and so cool! I visited with dear friends, hiked, went white water rafting (ok, there wasn't exactly A LOT of white water), laughed and cried. I saw little critters everywhere - rabbits, deer, birds of prey and even prarie dogs - I am always so inspired when I see animals in the natural habitat! I toured the Garden of the Gods (truly a natural wonder) and toured the army "post" at Ft. Collins in Colorado Springs. My friend, Patricia, works as a counselor to our returning soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. She is doing such important work especially given the nature of the wars our country is involved in. It's devastating to know what our men and women are going through - the things they have seen and experienced are such that no one should have to live through. Patricia informed me that, even in the face of these two wars, the biggest casue of death in the army is suicide. That is an eye-opening fact and it needs our immediate attention. It's a big job and emotionally draining but Patricia is passionate about her work. Now, talk about what one woman can do - she is truly making a difference in the world.


There is one special moment I'd like to share with you. My first "away" date with my husband, Terry, was to a spectacularly beautiful place called Mt. Princeton hot springs. The setting is exquisite and the waters are so very healing. We stayed at a little place just up the road called Love Ranch. It was (and still is) a series of small cabins that had no heat or running water. That meant there was no bathroom - only an outhouse...the kind made of wood with a half moon above the door about 100 yards outside the cabin. Now, I never have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom but, on this night, I had to!!! I couldn't stand it so I put on my coat (it was mid-October and cold in the evenings) and marched out bravely with the flashlight in hand. I found my way just fine and did my business. When I attempted to open the door, I realized that it had latched on the outside and I couldn't get out! Long story short - I was stuck in the outhouse for an hour! Terry, of course, was cozy in bed, sleeping like a baby. I went through every kind of emotion but the bottom line was I was not getting out. I peeked through the wood slats as the sun was rising and caught a glimpse of the only reproducing heard of big horn sheep in Colorado! Inspiring!!  Finally, a worker appeared in the field and I yelled out to him. He came over, opened the door and never said a word - only shook his head in disbelief.

Fast forward 20 years later - I ofund myself in Mt. Princeton once again over the weekend. It was a girl's outing and we just wanted to talk and relax in the river. But first, I asked if we could seek out Love Ranch and the infamous outhouse. We asked for directions and finally found it. I saw the outhouse from the road. We parked and we walked up to the outhouse. I brought some of Terry's ashes with me (never thinking I'd be at Love Ranch but rather in Aspen.) We held hands in a circle and I said a prayer through my tears and walked over to sprinkle the ashes next to the outhouse. Now, Terry would have gotten a huge thrill out of this! I never made it to Aspen (next trip) but I am grateful to my friends for loving me enough to support me through this.

My friend, Ronnie, picked me up at the airport today. He said I was different - lighter, happier and even inspired. I decided this weekend that it is time for me to claim my birthright of unconditional love and an abundance of blessings. It's part of my process of grief and loss that I have lived through this past year after losing my sweet Terry. And, I can't wait to see how that manifests in the world!! I think Terry would be happy tickled.
Thanks for being on the journey with me!


With Love and Generous Blessings,


Donna