POST #2 (better late than never - confessions of a procrastinator)

My favourite part of traveling is meeting people unexpectedly. Andrew and I pulled into Kimberly, BC looking for some brekkie. We ended up meeting Rolf, a Swiss guy who worked half the year in Bern as a stage hand with a theatre company and spending the other half of the year in Kimberly enjoying the natural beauty of BC and building teepee structures. We also met a 40something raft guide with a handlebar moustache and a love for beauty. At one time in our conversation, he sees a girl walk by and loses total focus on what he was saying. He keeps his eyes on her and says, “I used to know that girl.” Andrew and I are like, “oh yeah…um hum.” He then smiles and says, “God! I love women! I love them all!!” It took us a while to get back to the topic at hand after such an honest outburst. Loved it!

The summer was about friends and family. It was about swimming (white whale style preferably – i.e. crypt lake), cliff jumping, rope swinging, river rafting, mountain biking, and adventuring into the unknown. It included solo hiking in an attempt at finding peace. It was about joy in the moment and laughing loudly when realizing just how off-course one can get in a short period of time. I realized this summer that it’s a pretty good thing I didn’t become a mountain guide. The summer also included moments of nostalgic reminiscing mixed with acidic disappointment laced with sweet conversations.

I guess in a way it was organic, filled with a range of emotions and experiences. It reminded me that we all carry burdens on this journey and some are heavy and difficult to hoist. Along the road, I believe that Jesus carries some of those burdens and for this we can be grateful.

To sum it up - this summer was life. I have taken a new breath and am ready for what lies ahead. Perhaps there is a chance, a slight yet undeniably real chance that there are present moments that can make our very souls come alive: to the sound of butterflies flapping and marmots whistling, to limestone boulders crashing and glacier creeks gushing, to porcupines grazing and black bears musing, to fall leaves tossed in crisp air and walks with loved ones in nature’s shelter.

Wherever you are may the present moment come alive to you, even in the cracks of life that grow in the sidewalk.

Peace to you,
Marcel

PS - thank you to all who made this summer what it was: refreshing.