Words from Pep
Storms of life and the paradox of pain…
A cold fierce wind bit hard upon our bodies. We looked for deliverance from its rage by heading downhill toward the ice-covered river. Here, within the crevice of a boulder and drifting snow we nested ourselves. Overhead air currents blasted through hemlock and leaf bare poplar, giving voice to the storm’s wrath. Pressing with me into this cleft of the rock was my hairy friend tail tucked tight, ears alert. Two species joined in common need. Horizontal snow corkscrewed in the eddy of our shelter, falling over man and dog like a gleaming blanket being tucked in by an invisible hand. Wrapped in Earth Mother’s insulation, a warm presence began to envelop our beings. A mysterious peace beyond understanding settled upon our sanctuary as the chaos and frenzy continued. Fused with my companion in this serene state we sat joyful amidst the riot and watched the vapors of our breath rise and swirl out of sight. . . . . . Storms, mad hurricanes of pain, are inevitable. They rise slowly or blindside us without warning taking our breath away. The pain brought our way by these tempests is part of the privilege of existence, the price of wisdom, the chisel shaping our souls. . . . . . My friend and I had hoped to make it back to our cabin before it came upon us. Our plans and hopes were not to be our lot. Yet, here in the midst of our distress, a retreat, both physical and spiritual, brought us solace and peace. Here in the Cleft of the Rock we found sanctuary. The Rock of our refuge gave us consolation and weathered the trials with us. . . . . . Slowly the blanket thickened until it seemed we had been consumed. But, to the contrary, we rested content, safe within the storm. With the passing of time we emerged, man and dog, giving thanks for the experience, knowing our lives were more complete because of it. My friend has long passed on, but I feel someday, beyond the western door, we will meet to recall the shaping of our souls on that cold day.
Pep
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ONE WORLD – ONE FAMILY OF MAN – ONE CREATOR OF ALL