After hours on the road with my brother we arrived at the bottom of the mountain. The sun had slipped away many hours before and we begin the slow climb up the mountain road in the dark. If you have never had the privilege of climbing a winding mountain road in the dark, you have yet to live or think about dieing. We arrive at the top with a tired sigh of relief and open the doors of the car to be greeted by the crisp mountain air. My senses are overwhelmed once more by the purity and the alpine. Greeted now by the wave and the 'your here' of my auntie waiting on the porch....ahhh there is the great picture again of someone waiting for me to come home. And I have. The past few weeks have held tragedy, health concerns, big life changes, grief, and so many more weights being added to my daily thoughts. In one breath on this mountain they are lifted. For just a few days we will be here to celebrate. As we gathered our family together around my grandma's life we are blessed to have this place to share in. The kettle is on and we take tea outside to watch the almost full moon, bring light to the mountains, which hem us in. The silence is ear piercing and rejuvenating all at the same moment. Slowly we drift off to bed and await the arrival of more. In the wee hours I join the welcome on the porch and hug and hold on to loved ones we have missed for too many years. Not long after the sunrise crew continues the grand tradition to watch in as the sunrise peek over the mountains to the east and we are bathed in light. Each morning we will gather here. Here we sing, cry, remember, and dream. The sun spreads over everything, awakening the hope in everything, that the new day has arrived. Here we sit in the porch swing and take in where the sun now strikes across the medicine wheel. My stone in that circle witnesses this sunrise each morning. Lucky stone. The days are filled with the blessed task of saying farewell to a dearly loved mother, grandmother and friend. We get a chance to hike, rest, and just be together. Stories and love are spread across the family who have come to be here. The little boy cousins(who are all 18 and over now, well except Cole-he is still 17 right?) provide entertainment. The aunties visit like a flock of hens(good hens) and the men plan hikes and other feats of strength. We journey through shared meals, shared heartaches and talk with hope about the future. Mackenzie River Pizza may never be the same. And then, all at once, it is over too quickly and we wave farewell and descend from the heights, back to our lives. We are richer and closer. On the porch we say goodbye and I hug my auntie hard and whisper 'I love you' and thank you for so much. The long ride home begins, as I go it alone. A stark contrast to the past few days. I slowly make my way down the mountain. I stop at the bottom and tears come down my face, unbidden. 'Goodbye' I whisper to no one in particular and to everyone and everything at the same time. The aspens shine a bright fall yellow in the warm morning sun and I hear them say 'until next time'. I smile a warm smile as I roll forward ready to face the valley.
