Saturday, June 19, 2010

Before Going Down the Mountain


I know of no better way to begin the final blog from Holden than to begin it with a photograph of a cairn, a pile of stones serving as a marker for the way along the path of some former wanderer. I recently passed this small cairn put together from existing rocks on a small hill on my way to the labyrinth.

I leave it there for others to pass on their way to wherever it is they are going. If it topples, there will be others who will put it together again. There is always a cairn in this place to mark the way we have taken...this particular way, anyway.

After two years in this wilderness setting, I am leaving. My parting gift to you will be a few more (one can never get enough) glimpses of the world in which I have lived, a world at the moment transformed by sunshine and made verdant by rain...a world transformed by the urgency of making the most of the long days of summer.

The very first rays of the sun illuminate the very top of Buckskin.

The short and exotic season of trillium.


The center stone at the labyrinth.



A patch of lupin along the road to the lake.




A newborn fawn in one of Holden's flower beds.



The canopy over the road to the lake.



"Johnny-jump-ups" along the path at the labyrinth.



Ten-mile Falls.


Cloud bank over Copper Mountain.

I will, in some form or fashion, in some new way as yet unknown to me, continue on with "Whatever from Wherever." I hope that you will continue on my journey with me.

I will leave you for the moment with the words of "The Holden Prayer." This prayer is for all of you as well.

"O God, you have called your servants

to ventures

of which we cannot see the ending,

by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown.

Give us faith

to go out with good courage,

not knowing where we go,

but only that your hand is leading us

and your love supporting us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Wanda! A beautiful post! Your blog has been inspiring and creative. It helped give me the courage to even go to Holden! This year you helped me to feel a part of the village and kept me connected. Go with courage down that wonderful mountain and have blessed journeys. Hopefully, our paths will cross again!

Peace,

Karen

Amy said...

Blessings as you go. Glad you'll still be posting. Will miss seeing you in August. I wonder where you'll going. Godspeed.

Gordy said...

After spending a few “winter experience” weeks in the Village this year, your blog has been a frequent reminder of your unique gifts and the wonder of this "place set apart" called Holden. Best wishes on your journey and I hope to see you again one day to share a conversation (and maybe a Compline Service too?).

Gordy

lwise said...

Dear Wanda,

I am smiling through my tears...thank you for your inspiring poetic observations and photo essays that I've so enjoyed reading during your Holden sojourn. I will miss seeing you there, but I will follow your blog wherever you are. Go out with good courage...
Love,
Lydia

Debbie said...

God be with you Holden.
Until we meet again ...

senor trout said...

Wanda: We met briefly at '08 Fall work week. I have absolutely loved your blog ever since, it has kept my heart in touch with Holden. I'm very sorry you'll be gone this summer when I visit in July! I'm sure you'll find beauty to share wherever you go. Tom Bracken