ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

If you’ve ever taken a family vacation to the western states, the above painting is a familiar sight. Yellowstone Falls is a mainstay of photographers, sight seers, campers and artists. It’s one of those places that sticks in your memory for a long time. I have a much larger version of this work in my foyer. It brings back so many memories. Do you have a special place that clings to your heartstrings? Paul and I revisited Yellowstone after our children were all grown up. This time our camping was done in the back of our pickup truck. No fear of bears invading the food supply, only the sounds of nature and a million stars filling the sky. It was time to turn in for the night. Paul remained for a while until the campfire was almost gone while I headed back to the camper to get ready for bed. For some reason – maybe the altitude = maybe my resistance to camping – perhaps the fear of someone or something pouncing on me in the darkness. Maybe it was mountain sickness or my fear of small places. Whatever it was led to a most embarrassing moment. The walls began to close in. My head was spinning. The darkness was indelible. Paul entered the camper. I began to scream like a wild woman. “Leave me alone. Get out of here. My husband will take care of you.” Well, it didn’t take long for the entire campground to come to life. It so happened that our site was located right next to the manager. Needless to say, we spent the rest of our trip in motels. Paul thought I did an excellent job of acting in order to get my way.

A haze encapsulated sky sheds a minute dose of light,

Upon the river’s edge,

Capturing reflections,

Dispersing shadows,

Displaying an array of natural color,

Until only a few short months ago,

The ice retreated from the glacial lake,

Which once was a frozen mass of crystal shards,

Now replaced with a new beginning,

A new day has dawned,

Light dances across the water,

To a symphony of brilliance,

Performed by an orchestra of birds,

Bullfrogs,

Crickets,

The dance will not end until night falls,

The waters have returned,  God’s finger has opened them,

This is a time of transition,

Time to sweep out the cobwebs of discontent,

Time to lift the veil of anticipation,

And look ahead to coming days,

To reach heights never dreamed of,

To find renewal,

To live.

In our efforts to conform, we often hold back from trying something different. When our circumstances change, we adjust and adapt. Life goes on. God wants us to enjoy every area of His creation. Don’t hold back. Live!