As a widow riding solo through life I found sunrise at the ranch to be a reminder that every day offered a new beginning. It was a good reminder that this was a renewal of my life, a new day, a new chapter, a new adventure. I embraced my life at the ranch as likely my last big life adventure. My intention to take my last breath here at the ranch, but hopeful there would be years of breathtaking beautiful moments and joy before that last breath.
When I first arrived at the ranch it was a pretty simple life; just me and Boudreaux, my big orange cat. BouKitty had been with me for 12 years when I moved to the ranch. He’d spent 12 years in Florida. His life changed in Colorado. He was older, slower, and could only go outside if I was with him. There were too many critters outside who would think he looked like a tasty snack; lynx, bobcat, coyote, badger, bear, hawk and more. On cold mornings I settled into my leather club chair with my feet propped up on the ottoman, my toes toasty warm by the fireplace. BouKitty curled up in his bed tucked under the table next to me. The table held a lamp to light up my morning reading spot because I was usually awake before sunrise. Stacked on the table beside me was Hal’s bible now mine, an ever-changing stack of devotional and inspirational books, my journal, a handful of assorted ink pens, markers and highlighters, a jar of BouKitty’s favorite cat treats, tissues for the inevitable widow tears that erupt without warning, and a dedicated place for my large coffee mug. From my cozy nook beside the fireplace I could look out the window to watch the sunrise. Sunrise from my little piece of paradise in the Rockies rarely disappoints. Looking down from 9500 feet I can see valleys and hills and far off in the distance another mountain range. Misty mornings, sparkling icy mornings, snow covered mornings, golden aspen aglow mornings, or summertime blue sky sunshine mornings; each brings its own magic. Sunrise in the Rockies is simply the opening of the door to today’s new adventure.
Every sunrise is a reminder that it’s up to me to create the adventure I want today. I am the only one responsible for giving myself the life I want. I choose to start each day, and my life adventure, with solitude, reflection, prayer, reading, journaling, and, of course, coffee, because, let’s be totally honest here, nothing gets done without the coffee.
