Snowshoeing With Tom

                   
Spending a magnificent week in the majesty of Montana mountains and rivers along side the man I love has served to spark memories and contemplation of times when I have sweetly rested in the magic of being as one in spirit with nature.
It’s been many years since I grew up in the beauty of abundant earthly surroundings as a girl living on a farm. Sandwiched in between my precious childhood days and this glorious week in the mountains of Montana there has been much busy-ness and many life distractions. I have taken far too little time for just BEING as resting in the healing power of our natural world. 
On a perfect snowy winter wonderland kind of day Tom fitted me up with a pair of old fashioned snowshoes made of hickory. We walked together joyfully on top of several feet of snow. Like excited children we delighted in every step we took as we wandered our way into the most magical mountain forest setting I’ve ever seen!
Tom had previously shared stories with me about his experiences in the mountains since his arrival here in September. As we trekked along I enjoyed his stories in expanse as he pointed out where some happy experiences took place.
With much tenderness he re-shared stories of guiding friends on grand adventures to search for the perfect Christmas trees from the abundant evergreen forest. Woven into our delightful walk was a most wonderful story about Annick, the property owner, and how she treasures these trees while protecting them with inexplicable passion. Once she went so far as to threaten to chain herself to certain majestic trees to prevent them from being cut down.
Several times I paused to catch my breath as I tried my limited best to take in the exquisite beauty that surrounded us. The ethereal magic of that which was filling my senses was beyond any words one might conjure up in attempting an adequate description. Magical moments leave us wonderstruck like this sometimes.
What has shifted for me within this gentle week of radiant blessings, unconditional love and stunning beauty has been a return to the truth of what really matters.
This deep knowing resides within every soul. The knowing is this: We cannot truly thrive when we attempt to live our lives within the stress created by the countless demands of the programs that are running our world. Instead, it is our very highest purpose to rediscover and return to our place of Heart.....the sweet place of wonder, respect, tenderness, compassion and gratitude. And wondrous Peace.
Mother Earth (Gaia) is our life-giving force. When we reverently commune with her from the sacred place of our Hearts we begin to remember our Oneness with her. It is then that we can authentically embrace and live in profound yet ubiquitous spirit wisdom.... Love is the only true thing.
In Joyful Gratitude,
JoAnn