The Journey to Bear and the Flower

The wind is blowing softly as I make my way slowly up the narrow path surrounded by lush vegetation, tall living trees, and the occasional butterfly fluttering before my eyes. It never fails to surprise me how the tree branches softly touch my body as they are blown around by the gentle breaths of wind. It’s like they are expressing a word of welcome, “Thank you for coming back. We’ve missed you.”

I notice the eagle high up in the sky, flying like the monarch of the heavens. His high-pitched call continues to beckon my name as I climb, occasionally stumbling over ruts on the uneven path. I am amazed that I hardly ever find another person exploring this world of wonder. I am by myself, but I am definitely not alone.

The sky is so blue it’s almost purple. The trees are like emeralds, and it feels like all of earth is vibrating with an unseen energy and life force that I have been chosen to witness. How have I managed to be so blessed? The earth itself is covered with leaves that have chosen to become my carpet, softening each footstep and giving me that incredible feeling of floating.

I breathe in. I breathe out. Deep breaths, all of them. The air smells as vibrant and alive as I feel.

Suddenly without warning, I trip on a root buried underneath a pile of leaves, and I’m falling, sliding, slipping down the side of this magnificent mountain. I feel like all control I thought I had has been taken away from me, and I’m at the mercy of the forces around me…the rocks, the trees, flowers, gravity.

And then, it stops. I am at the bottom, without a scratch. I look down at my legs, thinking they should be covered in bruises, cuts, an unsightly mess…but they are as perfect as they were at the top of the mountain. I give a short word of thanks to God and the angels kept me from harm before getting up to my feet, wiping off the leaves, and looking around.

About three feet to my left, I see the opening to a rocky cave that somehow beckons me and invites me inside. I slowly venture forth, wondering who calls the cave home. As I step inside the mouth of the cave, I hear a strange noise unlike anything I’m familiar with. It’s dark, and I have trouble seeing exactly where I’m going, but as my eyes adjust to the dimness, I see a huge grizzly bear lying on the ground snoring deeply. I don’t want to wake him up, as he looks like he needs the rest. Strangely enough, I don’t fear him. I have respect and admiration for this massive creature of nature who terrifies so many.