the core remains the same

i spent most of my life living on the shore of a spectacular glacier fed lake. along one side, a winding highway etched into the mountain... the only road to travel. the other side splashing against the shores of pristine parkland; lush vegetations, alpine meadows and snowcapped peaks.

for many, the magnificience of such natural wonders were taken for granted. they believed the world beyond the mountains echoed our small corner of the world. there was no need to travel or explore. for me; i knew i was blessed to live in such a grand environment. this valley was my temple; the mountains my god... strong and powerful. at night, angelic stars would light the sky. towering cedars and pines swayed; a congregation. the lake - my holy water

the lake, at times, provided a perfect mirror image of all that lived above it. mashed potato clouds floating in azure blue would cast their reflection for miles. the calm was seductive... sunshine rays shimmering; catching the eyes of those within seeing distance. other times, she would throw waves; white water crests spilling over rocky shores. a powerful force ready to swallow whatever dared challenge her. a violent reaction caused by various upsets... sometimes a stones throw - other times, raging wind. and when nothing was left to calm her; thunder would roll across the sky, shaking homes until rods of sharp light tore through the darkness... sometimes there was fire that would burn for days. smoke would fill the valley and when it finally cleared everyone would see the scars.

when i go home i can still see the scars. many are now hidden by new growth; newcomers will never know anything different and accept what is now as how it has been always. but i know they are there. i can remember. i watched as flames rose... i can still smell the smoke.

and still, i am awestruck by the beauty that surrounds me. on the surface things have changed; the core remains the same.