The mountains

Although my house doesn't sit on a ridge like this, I still love living in the mountains. I get to see views like these everyday. It is what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving. I like waking up to clouds in my meadow. I like the creek that runs by my house. I like the way things look with the inch of snow we've got now.

Sure I miss the culture of the city. I miss the pace and the churches and the art. But I love the peace of the mountains. The lack of traffic. The hometown feel. I don't know if I will stay here forever. It might be too lonely if I didn't have Richard.

In that case I might want to go join my son. That's why I want to get a law degree. So I can work for him if it ever comes to that. But right now I'm super thankful for the mountains and mostly for Richard who makes living here tolerable.

The beauty alone would be empty without his wit. He keeps me on my toes. And he reads so much that I have to work to keep up with him. Thanksgiving is one of the major holiday of the year. I need to find a way to be happy for at least the few hours I spend with my family.

I need to forget all the things I feel are not right and embrace the things that are. This kind of embrace is what leading a magnificent life is all about. Being grateful is at the heart of being magnificent. I feel that most of the time I live with a kind of belt cinched around my heart. I think mindfulness is focusing on  uncinching that belt. And letting the heart be whole.