Divine Communion

All along this trip I have felt a holy presence accompanying me. I've been guided, protected, provided for, and supported. As my favorite poet, David Whyte says, "There is all of this invisible help available." I've found this to be abundantly true. The big lesson for me on this journey is to know that while the help and guidance is always available, it's up to me to ask for it, notice it, and receive it. The noticing part has been the most astonishing. I see it everywhere now.

In Bryce Canyon I wanted to experience the sunrise above the canyon, from the Rim Trail. This meant I had to get up at 5:00 AM, which for me is the middle of the night. (I'm in deep REM sleep at that time.) I woke up at 4:45. It was dark and freezing cold (the canyon is above 8,000 feet). Clementine had ice crystals around her door. I put on 4 layers of clothing and my warmest hat and shivered while I boiled water at my little outdoor kitchen to make coffee. With thermos in hand, I got in my car and drove to the Rim Trail to find a quiet, secluded spot to watch the sunrise. It was dark and I needed my headlamp to find my way to the trail. When I arrived, there were already a dozen or so people there with the same intention. No one spoke. We greeted each other in silence with soft eyes and gentle smiles. A few people mouthed the words, "'Morning", as we walked past each other. We all knew we were about to experience something spectacular. I found a perfect spot on a wooden bench overlooking the canyon. I sat there quietly, looking to the east, waiting, waiting, waiting. The horizon began to glow. Then a flicker of gold broke through the darkness. Beams of brilliant light started rising, slowly. I closed my eyes. My face tingled as the warmth of the sun hit my cold cheeks. I felt like the sun was rising just for me. To warm me, to light my way, to say, "Yes, today is a new day. Fresh and waiting for you." I sat there in silent prayer and meditation. Giving thanks for all that I'd received and learned. For what was lost and what was found. For courage, for strength, and for the new path unfolding before me.

The morning felt magical. And then something amazing happened that made it even more special. As I was gathering my things to head back down the trail, a man approached me. He was tall, with kind, thoughtful energy, perhaps in his late 50's. He had a camera in his hand. He said, "I saw you sitting there watching the sunrise. You looked so peaceful. I took this photo of you and I wanted to show it to you." His sincerity touched me. He showed me the photo on his camera and it took my breath away. He captured a moment in my life filled with healing and grace. It was so unexpected and so beautiful. "Oh my gosh!" I said. "That's amazing. Thank you for showing that to me. Can I ask you to send me the photo?" He agreed and I gave him my email address. We chatted for a few minutes and then we went our separate ways. A few days later, I received an email from Mike Maloney with the photo he took of me at sunrise at Bryce Canyon. In his email, he included the lyrics to the song "Morning Has Broken." Mike didn't know this, but I was humming that song as I walked along the trail back to my car that morning. Even though our meeting was brief, Mike gave me a gift that I will treasure forever.