Archive for October 4th, 2020
Journeying
For the fourth time in three years, fire ravages my heart.
I was born and raised in St. Helena. I moved to the Sonoma Valley when I was 29; later moving to Santa Rosa, and subsequently migrating to West Sonoma County in my early forties.
I spent the second grade at Foothills School in Deer Park; spent decades swimming the warm waters of Putah Creek and then Lake Berryessa after the dam was built. I have hiked the Pallisades, lived in the Toll House on Lawly Toll Rd; swam the icy waters of Las Posades; spent hours playing at the Old Bale Mill before it became a historic State Park. I love Glass Mountain and my ‘…hills of home.’
I have hiked hours and hours in Annadel and Armstrong; several Regional Parks; Sugarloaf; part of the Kortum Trail and Bodega Head. I have played at Goat Rock and Portugese Beach, flown my kites at the top of Coleman Valley Rd.; swam in the Russian River and Lake Sonoma after the dam was built; marveled at the history of the Round Barn…loving the ‘hills of my second home.’
Watching the tree-filled landscapes and landmarks of childhood through to my twilight years, that have so unconditionally supported the journey to my authentic self, being transmuted by fire, brings a flood of grief into my soul-self. Tears flow unbidden, crossing my cheeks, dripping from my face into the abyss of change.
The heat in the crucible of growth is more intense than I ever could have imagined at this time in my life. Peace and comfort come as the authentic self accepts and allows; observing and engaging the unfolding.
Blessings!
Photo Credit – Alvin A.H. Jornada/The Press Democrat, Sept. 29, 2020