Today I Wannabe....Exactly where I am.

Today was an absolutely fantastic day.  It started out just like any other weekday, with the normal routine: getting up with my grandson, taking my hubby (and daughter) to the train, going for a short drive before heading back home (my grandson hates to go straight back home and wants to go "that way" - any way but home!).  After arriving back home, eating breakfast, doing laundry and generally continuing through my day, I started feeling antsy.  My life has gotten so very small, and I do so little outside the house, and I was really feeling the need to get out!  Life has been stressful the last few weeks what with me falling and being housebound for two weeks, the weather being incredibly hot, my daughter starting massage school, and all the hectic changes and adjustments that go with that.  My grandson has been alternately cranky and hyper.  He's missing his mom, feeling the stress of the changes, and hating being housebound with my injury and the heat.  So, although it was hot again today (but cooler than it has been) I felt the need to head for the hills - literally!  I wanted to find a place where it would be cooler, and that I could commune with nature, experience the flora and fauna, as well as get my feet in some water.  For some reason water has always been soothing and renewing for me.  And, since I haven't been able to get to the ocean - my escape of choice - I felt that a lake or a river or a creek would be the next best thing.  So, I checked out the Colorado State Parks on line, found one relatively close, packed up the necessary items for lunch and attending to a two year old, and off we went!

What a fantastic day!  We headed for Golden Gate Canyon State Park, and after a slight detour (hello Boulder - oops!) we backtracked and made it to the park.  As the thunderheads built over head, we found a great spot for lunch with picnic tables and easy access to a creek.  Yeah!  And, right about then, the skies opened up and gave us a blessing of rain.  It was a lovely warm rain for the most part, and getting a little wet was ok, but wouldn't be too much fun eating soggy sandwiches!  So, back to the car we went, and as we ate, my grandson found his coloring crayons and book, and enjoyed himself.  It was a lovely interlude while the rain fell softly (and occasionally a bit harder) outside.  Eventually, though, it let up, and we got out of the car to explore.  Two year olds LOVE puddles, and sure enough, things were just wet enough to be fun without getting soaked.  Down through the grasses we went to the creek edge, and voila! I got to put my feet in the water!

I have been really needing to get my feet wet, to recharge my body and soul through nature's goodness.  We wandered a bit more, and headed back to the car.  We drove up a high mountain road through the park.  Lots of fun curves and flowers to delight the senses.  After a little while we found a great spot, played and looked at the mountains a bit more, jumped in a puddle or two, and decided we were a bit tuckered out.  What a feeling of wonder and blessing looking out on God's incredible creations!  I felt so blessed and so lucky to be right there.

Heading back home I felt such a sense of peace and renewal!  I haven't felt this good in a really long time.  I even had a bit of a headache, but the wonder and joy I felt by being in the park made the headache seem like a minor thing.  Wow, what a change! 

So often lately I look at my life and think, "how did I get here, and how the heck do I get out".  But today, I felt so wonderful being exactly who, what and where I am.  What a fantastic feeling!  There is nothing like the excitement of setting out on an adventure, and the joy and sense of accomplishment to find that, indeed, goodness abounds!

God is so good!