Wandering and Thinking and Hiking

<p>The summer of 2019 began a journey of curiosity grief </p><p>persistence and in all honesty fear. On February 26 </p><p>2015 two loving and distinguished gentlemen left this</p><p>earth; my father Rev. Joseph Nickell and my former</p><p>father-in-law Dr. Gibbs Prevost. The loss of these two </p><p>and on the same day began my travels of selfdiscovery </p><p>intrigue and a deeper sense of loss and hope.</p><p><br></p><p>Not only did my father die but my mother suffered a</p><p>stroke which resulted in greater memory loss and a</p><p>reliance on caretakers. At my father's funeral delayed</p><p>a month due to my mother's requirement to complete</p><p>physical rehabilitation services Carolyn Blevins</p><p>responded with these words You've had a hell of a ride.</p><p>She was not wrong. My mother continued to decline and</p><p>on July 25 2019 she died after residing in a memory</p><p>care unit for only two months.</p><p><br></p><p>Watching Mary Nickell a determined hospitable and</p><p>stubborn woman decline for four years could be</p><p>described as a revelatory moment. I inherited my</p><p>mother's determination and independent spirit and</p><p>that spirit was telling me to move onward. I sold my</p><p>house put everything in storage quit my job but NOT</p><p>my profession and decided to work in national parks;</p><p>Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons so far.</p><p>10</p><p>As the events of 2020's covid pandemic loomed large the</p><p>level of suffering was not lost on me. My isolation took</p><p>place in the frozen tundra of the Grand Tetons and</p><p>worried for my family as we were 2000 miles apart.</p><p>Winter thawed the earth but covid was alive and well </p><p>and unfortunately thriving and spreading. Isolation</p><p>continued resulting in loss of lives confusion </p><p>inability to have personal interactions cancellation of</p><p>sentinel events mental and physical fatigue.</p><p>Being a part of nature was my way to cope with the</p><p>isolation and sadness surrounding my spirit. The</p><p>pictures I had taken were ways to save those uplifting</p><p>moments and thought the beauty might be helpful for</p><p>others. Facebook and Instagram were my medium for</p><p>sharing and the responses were overwhelming. Social</p><p>media influence was not my goal. Sending pictures</p><p>that might elicit peace comfort and solace was my</p><p>purpose.</p><p><br></p><p>Two people dear to my heart and soul Rev. Mary Beth</p><p>Duke and Rev. Sharon Youngs asked when my</p><p>pictures would be published in a meditation book. Their</p><p>urgings David Tullock and Parson's Porch are the</p><p>catalyst for these meditations.</p><p><br></p><p>My travels have been varied; alone accompanied by</p><p>family and friends or with travelers along the way. I am</p><p>grateful for good health and for now good knees. The</p><p>opportunity in front of me is not taken for granted.</p>