Our guide to the bears around Silver Salmon Creek knows her stuff. She loves bears and the wilderness. She also loves photography. The combination of passion and interest made her an ideal guide for our small group of photographers. A rule that she established in our first briefing session was a simple one. If anyone wanted to stop for any reason at any time, all they needed to do was raise his or her hand.
What unfolded reminded me of an old story where one “preached with power in the meeting place. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and told him the rest of the story.” (Acts 18.26) In our case, the interrupt unfolded when we were riding back to the lodge for breakfast.
“Can we stop?”
“Here?”
“Yes! Just a few minutes.”
“Why? There are no bears.”
“Look at the light behind you. It is amazing!”
We had been chatting as we rode along. The interrupt and conversation was puzzling until we turned. It trusting the request, we found ourselves invited into an unique moment in time.
The morning sun, soft and warm, flooded the meadow of yellow and green grasses. The tall strands of golden grass waved gently in the breeze. In between the stems, the purple flowers stood in stark contrast. The dark green pines provided an intense edge to the multi colored foreground. Framing the scene, the dark gray clouds above made each color stand vividly on its own. The combination touched you before you realized what was happening.
I did not realize that the scene was also etching itself on my mind. In the first glance, I felt myself flooded with a sense of wonder and peace. I was pushed into silence. I was at a loss for words. My response was to simply be.
Even as the rain sheets reshape the landscape, I look across at the meadow and see more than what is there. I see hope. I see potential. I see that life is continually changing. I see the opportunity to make a difference.
