The Glider

We were in Colorado for my niece Bethany’s wedding, relaxing for a bit at our airbnb before we headed out on a hike to Mount Sanitas.  I dozed for a few minutes, and as I awoke a photo flashed in my mind.  It’s a tiny little 2x3” photo I have in my bookcase of my mom in the cockpit of a glider, sunglasses on, huge smile plastered on her face, her hand up giving a salute.   I woke up with that image in my mind, smiling.  

A few minutes later we headed out the door for our hike.  It was a beautiful warm late summer day, with lots of people out on the trail enjoying the outdoors and the beautiful mountain and the views overlooking Boulder.  We were in high spirits as we started our hike and though it was strenuous, I felt really good, especially when I saw the peak up ahead.  Except that it wasn't the peak.  We got to that peak only to see another peak up ahead, slightly higher.  And then we got to the next peak, only to see another peak ahead, slightly higher.  And so it went for several more peaks, after which I gave the mountain a new name (Mount Satan) and began using some pretty colorful language to communicate how I was feeling about this particular hike.  It was honestly one of the more strenuous hikes I’ve been on…either that or I was just less fit than the last time I’d been on a tough hike. In either event, there were a few moments that I thought about turning around.  But finally, FINALLY…we got to the actual peak and found a rock to sit on, looking down on the beautiful valley, revelling in our conquering of this mountain.  We’d been there for a few minutes when I saw something out of the corner of my eye.  

I looked up to see a glider sailing right over us.  And I burst into tears, the image of my mom in the glider picture flashing into my mond again.. 
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Of course, the people in the glider couldn’t have known the significance of them flying over us…and I might not even have noted the significance of that glider if that photo hadn’t pop into my head as I awoke just a few hours earlier.  And sure it could have been a coincidence.  But I know in my heart that it was my mom saying hi.  

So here’s what I believe about love:  it never ends.  I believe that if you love someone, even when your body leaves this earth, your love and your spirit remain with those you left behind.  It doesn’t happen as often as I’d like, but there have been several incidents like this that have convinced me that my mom is still watching over me and my siblings – our own guardian angel.  Maybe you’ve lost a loved one in the past few years…if you have, perhaps you’ve had this experience as well. I’ve found that I just have to keep my eyes and my heart open for those little hellos.

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