Pink Vistas

The mountain range looked menacing. It stared back at me, daring my fears to take just one more step. One false move, and I would tumble. I stumbled over small stones hewn from a nearby boulder. Sighing deeply, then holding my breath, I launched upwards, and onto the sturdy rock that leaned into the mountain. Good thing that was there. I looked up to witness the sunset dripping over the peaks. Hues of pink watercolor melted over the mountaintops. Some of the pink sky settled as low as the valley that was miles from the range’s greatest heights. The multi-colored sky reflected off the pond below, and back into the heavens. I had never seen such a beautiful sight from where I stood.

Now if I could only reach the very top. What a view that would be….

Once more, I journeyed, step by step, until I reached the summit.

I turned, facing away from the side of the mountain. I found myself gazing into the first signs of dusk and starlight. I sat down, drawing my knees to my chest. I had come far. But the journey was not over. I spread out my sleeping bag, and immediately fell asleep under a moonless night sky.

The brisk, freezing wind disturbed my sleep that night, waking me repeatedly during the seven hours I had before daybreak. Dear God, please let me sleep. I need to make to the foot tomorrow. I curled up into a fetal position, praying to God I would get what I needed.

As the sun rose, shades of pink once again spilled over the horizon, drawing me to witness with intention the start of the day. I bowed my head in gratitude, and asked my Creator to guide my path and watch over my steps as I descended the mountain that day. I must reach ground level by sunset, or they would call me failure. Or worse.

With nothing beside me except my walking stick and my invisible friend, I began my trek. With sunglasses and a wide-brim hat to shield my eyes from the noonday sun and just enough water for the next twenty-four hours, I was set and determined to meet this challenge.

No longer would I have to stare down this mountain range in front of me. From here forward, it would only be behind me.

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