Previously posted in October 2006
We’re home from four fun days at the ranch! Utah Educators take two days off every fall for UEA, whatever that means, I’m not sure, but it makes for a great little fall break! Doug and I took the babes and Carol and her kids up and we’ve had a wonderful time! I EXHAUSTED! We need a vacation to recuperate from our vacation! (I think I say that every time we get away to play, but it’s the truth!) We played more cards than should be humanly right. We laughed at the silliest things and even wrote them down to see if they were still silly when the sun came up. They were. We ate like royalty, hiked and biked, watched movies and puppies, laughed until we 
ached... it was the perfect break! Here’s a few pix to show for it.
As you can see, it was COLD! 15̊ before the sun came up. Hard frost and a cold breeze. But once the sun came over the mountain, it was perfect long sleeve or fleece weather! And the sun just kept on shining! Perfect! I took this sunset shot right after the experience I share below.
While all of the fun and games was excellent, my favorite moment of the weekend came when I sat down during a hike and let the others go on ahead. I was spoiling their fun by being the over-
protective mama and knew that they’d enjoy it more without my constant "Be careful!" warning and that I’d enjoy it more if I wasn’t being mortified at their every move! (The boys were biking a very steep hill, which seemed to bother no one but me.) I spread out a blanket and had a little time to myself. Everyone else went up the hill and around the bend and within a few minutes, it was completely silent. It was almost eerie at first. Not a bird, no animals, no vehicles. Not a sound.
I don’t recall ever being in complete silence like this before. The silence lasted only a short while before everyone came back around the bin. BUT, while it lasted, it was absolute heaven. I took a moment to say a prayer of gratitude for all that is mine. I took a moment to listen to the silence and enjoy the beauty around me. I’m not one to take much time for silence. I’m busy. I sleep little. I slow down less. But, this few moments was rewarding enough for me that I want to try it again. Maybe not on the edge of a mountain at sunset. Maybe, it will be right here alone in my scrapbook room. But, I’m committed to make more time for silence. It’s a good thing.
Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself
and know that everything in this life has a purpose.
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