I decided that it was time to take my “real” camera with me on my walks so I could take “good” pictures. Well, someone else came along as well . . . my ego. Suddenly, I was humpfing over the flat midday light and fiddling with the depth of field. I was hunting, not being. And while I was at it, now that I had a camera, that freed up my phone for other purposes: I was checking my email on the trail.
Down, girl. Breathe.
Since I couldn’t resist the email, I learned, standing there on the side of the mountain, that a friend had died. Well, that changed things.
The camera was slung over my shoulder and forgotten. Phone stuck in a back pocket. Breath choked into a few guttural sobs. I looked around at God’s creation and gave thanks for all who are still here and for all who have ever walked the Miwok Trail and for all who walk here no longer.
Sometimes a walk is just a walk, sometimes it’s a marvel, and sometimes it’s a lesson.
Contemplative Seeing 