Married to Amazement

10/2/07
There's an old Monastery tucked away in the hills of Danville that's open to the public. I've lived in the Bay area my whole life and only just recently discovered it. Now that I have, it's become a place I can run to for a little solitude and rest. I sit down on my bench, close my eyes and listen to the sound of leaves falling and echoing through the canyon below me. Most times I end up reading a good book or writing, but today I was thirsty for adventure.

I decided to test out my little resilient ankle and explore the trails around the Monastery. I hiked up and down old staircases embedded into the ground and shot a bunch of photos. I just kept looping in and out up and down these trails when it suddenly occurred to me that I could get lost. Secretly, I kind of wanted to get lost and spend the afternoon totally unaware and unconcerned with what time it was. I wanted to get my fill of whatever it is I'm longing for. I strolled back to my car and put my camera away, which I'm kicking myself for now. I wanted my hands free for this particular steep and narrow trail I was about to take. It's not really that steep, but given my tendency to trip over air, I played it safe and stared at my feet the whole way down. When the ground evened out I lifted my head and froze solid. A deer with giant white antlers crowned on his head was pacing me 10 feet to my left. I stood there with my mouth wide open as he walked on ahead of me almost as if he didn't see me. I carefully continued walking just a few steps behind him when he stopped. Then I stopped. He looked over his shoulder and we just stared at each other for the longest time. He looked at me as though he was amused at my wonder. I felt totally and utterly happy to meet this dear with giant white antlers. The sight of him staring back at me made me want to cry. I suddenly became very aware of how beautiful this life is, and that I can't take one moment for granted.

"When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms."

When death comes-Mary Oliver