A Gift in Sean

Today my friend and I had planned to go hiking. She wanted to hike where she could get a view, I wanted to get some caches so I chose a spot in Ladysmith that would take us up to a lookout and then onto some old logging roads where there were lots of caches...not a pretty hike but it would fill both of our needs. 
Sadly, late last night, I received a phone call telling me of a middle aged man's sudden death. Sean was a man I had met through work about 10 years ago. He was a good man, a man who struggled in life and way too young to leave us. As I laid there thinking about Sean I knew our hiking plans had to change. I needed the trees, the quiet of the forest and some form of water. I needed to spend the day where I could connect with God and reflect on Sean and what he had brought to into my life. So when my friend arrived I told her of the change in plans. We would hike the 12 km Stocking Lake Loop, a bit of a view on the way up and lots of creeks, trees and peacefulness, it would be great and a hike we had wanted to do for some time. 

The first stream of many coming down the mountainsid

As we headed up the steep gravel path we came across many running streams. As we traveled deeper into the forest the creeks were surrounded with the deep green colour of the moss covering the rock and logs. The sights were so very beautiful to my eyes. 

Surrounded in beauty

As I stood by the creek I thought of Sean and all the gifts he had brought into the office. Although Sean had led a good life and worked hard he struggled with alcoholism, a terrible disease that affects so many people. Sean would faithfully show up every morning to see how things were with everyone at the church. If our caretaker needed a hand he would always be there willing to help steady the ladder or help with outside chores. He was always polite, always respectful and always had a story to tell. In days we were giving out pizza to those living on the street he would always make sure everyone had one before he would take his. Many times when I offered him one he would reply "Give it to someone who needs it, I will be okay"

The creek continually rushing downward

As I looked at the water rushing down stream I thought of the few things I actually knew about Sean, his pin and postcard collecting, his much loved cat and I wished I had spent more time with him but like the water rushing down the mountain side I am often rushing from one chore to the next in the busy office.
I knew this past year I had felt some frustration towards Sean and the fact that he continued to not be able to help himself. I hadn't always given him my full attention when he stopped in. It is a lesson I am continually learning it seems. Life is a gift, each person is a gift and we need to take the time to be with people and not let all the work and busyness interfere.

Looking out over the destruction at the ocean

We continued to hike and were surprised to find that the trail now had a huge view of the ocean because of the logging that was taking place on the hillside. We focused on the view and tried to pretend that we couldn't see all the destruction the logging had brought. Thankfully it will all be replanted and new growth will come.

Stocking Lake

Finally after two hours of climbing up we arrived at the peaceful lake. Such beauty brought calmness into our bodies. We stopped and I was so very thankful that we had decided to take this hike.

One  of the many beautiful views as we hiked around the lake

We hiked around the Lake finding wonderful little places to stop and breathe and just take in the quietness of the morning. 

A little hideaway we only found due to a cache that was hidden here.

Through the whole six hours we hiked we only met three or four other folks on the trail so we were able to chat but also share in moments of just listening to the silence of the forest.

The soft carpeted trail in among the cedar trees

 In some places the forest floor was so soft being built up with years of cedar tree decay. It was like walking on a soft carpet. There is something to be said for being out in nature and just observing. I am always so thankful for days on the trails. It gives me time to reflect on life and get away from the busyness it brings. 

A place up ahead to rest and just be in the moment

As we headed back down the mountain I gave thanks to Sean and all the gifts he brought into my life and the many others at the church. I am going to miss him in the morning when I return to work. There is going to be a void that will touch many people. 

A pathway leading us to ???

We never know where the pathways in life will take us. As my buddy tells me often, "Life can turn on a dime" and it is so very true. We need to make the most of every minute in life and take the time to build relationships with people and be there for them, through all the good times and all their struggles. 
Thank you Sean, for stopping by and asking how I was each day and thank you for today's hike. I felt your spirit hiking along with me today. I know you are at peace and no longer struggling - fly high! 

Being Happy and Thankful!

It's been a strange couple of months in many ways. In January my life was blessed with a new family from Syria joining our community and as the coordinator of the sponsoring group it has kept me very busy. It is the most wonderful fulfilling experience I have ever had. However, I must say, that it was keeping me from being with family and friends more than I would like so after the first month I started taking weekends for myself and got out hiking on quite a few trails with friends. When our lives get so full of busyness we forget to be thankful for the small things that we see and enjoy each day. It can sometimes get me feeling down and gives me a kinds of "flat" feeling. What a difference a day out on the trails can do for one spirits. 
This weekend I was very lucky to be able to fit in three short hikes. Friday, I drove with the family from Syria, to the parking lot of one of the highest mountains looking over our valley, Mount Prevost. We hiked up the last steep part and within twenty minutes arrived at the view point.  I was able to watch their faces fill with awe and joy as they looked out across the valley to the ocean. A view, I have seen many times in my life and maybe take for granted, brought pure joy to this young family. It was just wonderful to witness and I am so thankful to have them in my life.

A Beautiful View of the Cowichan Valley

We stayed up there enjoying the sunshine and the view below. Luckily we also found a small patch of snow on the far side of the slope which brought them pure happiness as they felt its coldness in their hands and threw it up in to the air. Something that many of us take for granted brought so much joy...we need to bet thankful for the simple things in life. 

Playing in the snow for the first time!

The next day my hiking buddy and I hiked up the mountain on the other side of the valley and went along the ridge looking down on Cowichan Bay. It was a good 3.5 hour hike and definitely gave me a much needed workout. It's a great trail, well used by many and full of amazing views of the valley and ocean. 

Cowichan Bay with mountain filled backdrop

 I realized as I hiked that there were so many trees, unique rocks and shrubs that I somehow had not noticed them before. Sometimes when things are right in front of us we can't see them for the trees ;)

An old intriguing tree that I had somehow overlooked before

Peeking out among the trees

This afternoon I hiked with two friends along a small creek coming down from Mount Prevost. It was a short fun hike in among the ferns and trees. 

In among the green green ferns

The water coming down from the mountain was very pretty and it was a very peaceful trail. The sounds of the birds in the trees, the sounds of the creek all brought a wonderful sense of peace to me. 

Bings creek rushing down from the mountain

We managed to find a couple of caches, one of them right by this waterfall, so it was all in all a great afternoon for the three of us to explore.

A great little find along the pathway!

Getting out in nature is the best medicine for my soul. No matter how busy we get, how stressed we can be over things that are happening in our life, getting out on the trails not only gives us a chance to just breathe but it also allows us the time to be thankful for this wonderful world we live in. Seeing nature through someone else's eyes, especially someone who comes from a country in war, reminds me to make each day count, to be mindful of each tree and fern along the way and mostly be thankful and happy for everything in my life. 

The peacefulness in nature

Today as I drove along I saw this little fir tree growing out from the rocks. There it was all by itself struggling to grow big and tall with only rocks for its roots to spread out in. I thought to myself wow! I want to be as strong and as brave as that little tree and I could begin today by deciding to be happy no matter what happens. To be happy I just have to want to be happy and it will just magically happen.Life is so very precious. I want to enjoy every moment and be filled with joy and live life laughing like the bubbling little creek I walked along today. It's all the way one looks at life and how we begin our days. I plan to begin my day with a smile on my face and a heart filled with thankfulness!

Adventures in the Snow

It's been an awesome month and we have been enjoying what I think of as perfect winter. The snow has fallen up on the mountains and left our roads dry and bare and the grass nice and green. The sun has shone and although its been cold I've managed to get out a few times and hiked up the hills and into the snow.

 The first hike took us up to the cross. There was a light layer of snow on the trail near the top.

 

At the cross there was snow but not enough to cover the base and the weather was a bit misty but still warm and wonderful.

 

 The inukshuks were peeking out from the snow on the way down. Each trip seems to have more and more little rocks being added to the others already there.

The second hike we headed up to the cross again but this time our goal was to hike up to the ridge and over to the Genoa Bay side to find the bench that I had been wanting to find for months.

However the weather had changed and the snow was very deep.

Not really knowing the pathway we decided to loop back to the trailhead and not head across the ridge to the bench.

 Thankfully in the new year we were able to make a second attempt and what a glorious day it was. Snow on the ground, beautiful blue skies and there we were up above the clouds.

It was a totally different world up there above the clouds.

 

 

 

 

It was so beautiful as we walked along the ridge. I couldn't help but stop to take many pictures along the way.

The snow layed heavily along the branches and yet the sun shone down upon us.

And the icing on the cake was that we were able to find the bench and enjoy lunch sitting in the warmth of the sun before heading back down through the snow covered trails.

 

 The next adventure took us up island to the Comox valley and Mount Washington. We drove up in the rain and some wind but once we arrived it was another glorious day and once again the snow covered land was more than beautiful.

 

 We went snowshoeing to Anderson Lake and enjoyed our lunch while sitting on the snow bank near the shoreline.

 

 I was amazed at how beautiful winter can be. Everywhere I looked creation was glistening with clean, white snow and it's beauty was unending. The streams covered in thin ice were full of colour.

 

 The mountains were covered in snow and looking down at the lake one would never know it was frozen over and covered in snow.

 
One could see how deep the snow was when looking at the layers piled high on the rocks and bushes and when I fell through it felt like it was never ending!

I am so thankful for this wonderful winter we are having here on our usually warm wet island. Hiking up to the snowcovered mountains right here in the valley with my hiking buddies and snowshoeing on the mountain side with my daughter and my adventurous friends, it has just been the best. Memories have been made that won't soon be forgotten but treasured and relived again and again.
Best news is, it's only January! There are many more adventures to enjoy and who knows I may just get back out there and experience snowshoeing on those wonderful glistening snow covered mountains before the spring rains arrive and the mountains return to their nature green colour!

Hiking Towards a New Year

This past week I have enjoyed some wonderful hikes with friends most beginning down in the spring like green world and hiking up into the wonderful white world of snow. It’s just been totally awesome! The first hike, on Christmas morning, we encountered a little snow on the ground in some places as we made our way up to the cross. Hiking to the cross is a favourite of mine because it is close to home and only takes a couple of hours. You get great views of the bay and it is a spiritual place, a place that allows me to be quiet and reflect. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning of the day that marks the birth of Jesus.

At the Cross...one of my many "thin places"

Looking out across the bay

The second hike, to the same mountain, took place a couple of days later. We headed out in a light rain and we weren’t too far up the same trail when we ran into snow. It was deeper now and still coming down. By the time we reached the cross and headed up higher towards the summit the snow was quite deep.

Heading up to the cross - Hike #2

It was fun to find the trail among the trees and bushes. It was so quiet in the forest and it felt like the four of us were alone on the hill. Simply amazing. It was peaceful, we were playful and we were blessed to be able to be there in the snow.

My wonderful hiking pals enjoying the snow

It’s not often that we get snow here on the island and this past week has just been perfect. Snow up high on the mountains and yet down below the roads are bare. To me it’s the best of both worlds and is turning out to be the most perfect of winters.

Snow covered trails

It being a long weekend I was able to fit in a third hike and thankfully two of my hiking pals chose to head over to Saltspring Island where we hiked up Mount Erskine, a hill I have never climbed before. Wow! What a beautiful place. As we began the steep ascent we couldn’t help but stop and stare in awe at the huge wonderful arbutus trees. They were so colourful, some red, some orange where the bark had peeled away and others darker brown or black looking. Their twisted and bowing limbs formed many different arches and shapes.

Beautiful arbutus trees

Many shades of colour and different shapes

If the trees didn’t make the trail interesting enough there were also Fairy doors along the trail. Someone has taken the time to build and put in place magical fairy doors that filled me with childlike joy as we discovered more and more of them as we climbed.

Lovely Fairy Door

 Upon reaching the summit we were surrounded in low cloud so there would be no view but the wonderful white snow made up for it.  I believe I could really get into hiking through snow covered pathways. It really adds to the adventure and has the landscape looking totally different than its usual green self.

In the low cloud resting on the summit bench

It’s the perfect time of year to spend lots of time out in creation. As we come to the close of this year I always find it good to look back and reflect on the ups and downs that have happened. I am always thankful for all the blessings that have come into my life and I try to be thankful for the challenges that have come along as well. I know there is much to be learned from the struggles and trials that life brings to us. They are as important as the joys we receive from all of the good things.

Deciding what the view would have been had it been a clear day

I also take time to think about the coming year. I try and set some goals and think of things that I can try and change to make this coming year even better yet. It’s never easy but I find it important to continue to set goals that will help me to grow to be a better person, to learn from the lessons life’s struggles have brought to me and to use those experiences in a good way.

Creations art work

Like the mountains our bodies have form and are a base from which change is made over time.  Just as the seasons and weather bring changes to the mountain, it’s rocks and plant life, our experiences, our struggles and our blessings bring change to the person we are inside. We all change and grow through our lifetime. The bases of who we are will always be there, I am who I am but I have the ability to be better. Tomorrow I can be better than I was today and next year I can be better than I was this year. I can work towards making this world a better place for others and for the earth itself.



The view from my doorway - A mountain yet to be climbed this year.

 These next few days will be a time of reflection, a time to breathe deeply and to look ahead with anticipation of another wonderful year. Hopefully there will be time to climb another hill as it always is a time for personal thoughts. Most of my "ah ha" moments come from being in those "thin places" out in nature and especially on mountain tops.   

 

I found this quote the other day and it really spoke to me. 

In this coming year may we all find life's greatest blessings in the love we share with others, the adventures we have together and the memories we make. I am so blessed with wonderful family, amazing caring friends and so many love filled adventures. It all continues to amaze me. Blessings to everyone for a wonderful year in 2016!

Three Gentle Nudges

My soul has been craving to spend some time near the water, a time to just reflect on life and all that has been happening. When I reach that stressed flight mode it is usually to the water or the hills that I head.  Today I had a free afternoon and the sun was shining. Question was, should I go and stroll along the beach to be close to the water where the sounds of the waves allow me to still that inner voice or should I hike a trail, gain some elevation and find peace up high.

I decided a short trek up a steep trail that I hadn't done in over a year, would give me the closeness and views of the ocean that I craved and also some much needed exercise. The views of the ocean below as I hiked higher and higher were awesome and it felt good to be outdoors in nature.

The waves of the ocean like the waves in life

For some reason I ended up hiking up a different pathway and headed toward the summit instead of the look out over the bay. However, when the trail continued up and away from the water and into the trees, I decided to play it safe and head back down. I needed to be near the water, to hear the barking of the seal nearby and to see the sun reflecting off the water. Besides, there is so much wildlife around and seeing I had not brought my bear spray I felt it better to stay out in the open.

A calming water brings peacefulness

I have never been great on making decisions or changes in my life but for the past ten or twelve years I have relied on gentle nudgings from our creator to guide me. Always needing firm advice I have waited for three nudgings before making up my mind. These decisions have always been things that I have wanted but have wondered and been very hesitant about making them.



Somethings and words in life have sharp, pointed edges

These  past few weeks have been trying and filled with frustration and also sadness. Today I as I hiked I pondered all the events that had happened of late. As I turned to head back down, and stood looking out over the water it dawned on me that I had been given three nudgings, and not the usual gentle ones. This time it wasn't that I had asked the question or wanted the information but here it was staring me in the face over and over again. An honest conversation, the retirement of a colleague and the death of a loving friend each bringing regrets into my life. These nudgings clearly said that I need to make at attitude adjustment, and I needed to do it now. It will take energy and committment but I know it needs to be done and it's quite possible. Being positive about life's challenges is how we all need to journey through our days.

Light reflecting in "realization"

Coming back down I decided to go back the way I had in the past only the trail looked so different that I hiked up and down a few times before finally making the right decision in getting on the other trail heading home.

Journeying through or under the "lows" in life

It was a good hike, an easy short climb that I turned into a loop, and I returned feeling refreshed. Being out in nature is so important for our spiritual  and mental health. It connects us and grounds us, bringing so much good into our lives. Even though today's moment of "ah, I get it" wasn't exactly what I had headed up the hill for, it was needed and for that I am ever thankful.