I'm missing the water...the birds...the newborn goslings and baby ducks. I'm missing the same old path I once walked.

And - I'm not.

Here in the mountains - it's all new. The landscape is different. The earth smells sweet and rich and full. By day - the sky fills itself with song. By night - it is marked only by the tiniest of stars sparkling.

It's quiet. I can hear myself breathe.

It's centering and grounding. I can feel my heart beat.

From a distance - I've watched as the seasons changed.

From spring into summer...to acolor-filled autumn and then into a long cold dark winter.

Only to return and begin again.

With new life. With new promise. With new hope.

Today - I'm here. In these mountains. With one long slow deep inhale...I'm taking it all in.

With an equally long and even slower and deeper exhale...I'm allowing myself to release into it all.

Life really does have a strange and unexpected way of smiling.