This morning, I barely woke up. It is so appealing to stay in bed and be lazy…the soothing warmth under the soft covers. I wonder sometimes why does the lure of sleep all numbing, finds me such a willing victim. Rather than spend time mulling over questions to which I have no answers, I went on to get ready. Sluggishly, I got ready, still barely awake. By the time I was done, I only had time to dash out of the door and get to work. Luckily for me, I have not but ten minutes of drive time. 

To my amazement, I realized that it had rained all through the night. Everything was sopping wet. Great! I think to myself. My Saab noisily complains with a screech of the front tires, that there is not enough traction for me to be taking off like I was, in first gear. I dutifully shifted to second and continued on out of the apartment parking lot. I go down the street and make a right turn onto Highway 92 and my jaw dropped to the floor. 

As I beheld the sight of the mountains ahead of me, I realized how beautiful nature could be. What was rain for me had been snow for the mountains. It looked like God himself had taken a paintbrush and painted the top half of the mountains, white. The lower half still remained the usual gray-green. It was uncanny to see how distinct the snow line was and how pretty it looked! As I drove toward work, the mountains became clearer and the beauty increased. I noticed the clouds hanging around the tops of the mountains, as if after having gently and silently wrapping a blanket of snow around the mountains, the clouds themselves were admiring their work. What a sight! 

Needless to say, I felt energized and empowered. It was truly a natural high, if there is any such thing. Remember how I mentioned that my drive to work is only ten minutes? I was wishing at that moment in the car if only I could continue down the road for a few more minutes. Well, I couldn’t.  -- Rich B.