This is the Path

This is the Path

by | Nov 16, 2014

THIS IS THE PATH This is the path. The one you’re on. The way will be straight and level, winding and steep. There will be mountaintop experiences, and valleys of the unknown; stars of light, and caves of darkness. You will wander and wonder, “Is this the right way?” This is the path. The one you’re on. There will be days of peaceful rest, when you allow yourself to be still. And others, when you cannot travel fast enough to leave the present and get to a new destination– if only to discover that you must pack up your courage and journey further. This is the path. The one you’re on. There will be nights of fear, when you wrestle without sleep for want of answers. You will cry out, “Send me a light in this wilderness, Oh God– some kind of sign that this is the right way!” Perhaps you will receive it . . . or perhaps not. Either way, This is the path. The one you’re on. Some days your feet will be sure of your direction. And others? They will stumble and trip upon the smallest rocks of doubt. Still . . . you walk, staying the mysterious and divine course that life has offered. Then one day . . . when you release the need to know the outcome– when you expect no answers at all– You will realize, without a doubt . . . This is the path. The one you’re on. This . . . Is . . . The . . . Path. Written by Melodie Lane ©2014...
Presence vs. Presents

Presence vs. Presents

by | Jan 5, 2014

Over the holidays, three of my brothers and their families and I celebrated Christmas Day together. We spent the afternoon at the nursing care facility where my dad, 87 years young, is in memory care, and my mom, who would be horrified if I shared her age publicly, lives in an assisted living apartment. Weeks beforehand my siblings and I had agreed to forgo giving each other Christmas presents.

The Top

The Top

by | May 3, 2013

Every year for the past six years, I have gone hiking with my life-long friend, Gloria. Before I moved back to Minnesota, she would travel to my home in Texas for a week of hiking in parks throughout the state. During my last year in Texas, we decided to venture further from home and hike the McKitrick Range in Guadalupe National Park. The weather was gorgeous, a mild 50-60 degrees. A footnote: neither one of us are what I would call ultra hikers in terms of physical fitness, but we enjoy the adventure of a good 3-4 mile hike. After hiking for a couple of hours, we came to a fork in the road. One way led downhill to the grotto; the other upward to the mountain ridge. We chose the ridge hoping for greater views and because I generally have this inner need for uphill battles. After climbing steeply for about a mile, we took a 10-minute break. I was sensing that Gloria was ready to turn around and hike back out; however, knowing me as well as she does, she let me make the decision.  I decided we should continue the upward climb in spite of our dwindling water supply, slightly sunburned arms, and overly-stimulated muscles. Ever since I can remember, I have always been driven to reach for the top. Most people would say  that’s a good goal to live by. And most of the time I would agree. But sometimes, we need to take a second look at the standards that we set for ourselves. They may be too low, and then again, they may be unrelenting. After hiking for 5 miles–mostly...
This Day

This Day

by | Jun 30, 2012

It isn’t that I don’t think of you Nearly every day, Or on all the other days Just as often. It’s only that on This Day, I am reminded of when Time Divided itself in two – The Before and The After. When the world sent its strongest reminder Of the one and only thing That matters in this Life.   Now, As I lay awake on This Day Many years past The After, My thoughts linger a moment longer On memories of Your voice, Your laugh, Your smile. And on This Day, I allow myself A momentary pause from what is real Wishing that This Day Could still be The Before.   Dedicated to Carl Lane Metzler (1981 to...
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