Oct. 2, ‘09-Walking towards the duck and geese kennel, I find my eyes drawn up-ward. In the darkness I see so much light shining from the stars. I think of my brother Tim Salwey, and observe the deer formation formed by 12 stars. Many moons ago, Tim took me aside and showed me the outline of a bear/deer in the night sky. Tim is 9 years older than I and was heading to Alaska on his big adventure. He told me how I could always look up and know we saw the same deer in the sky. I treasured that and wherever you are, just look up in the clear night sky and know we all can see the deer. The sheep bleat and await their grain mix and hay. Chickens sing in their artificially lit chicken coop and wander down the ramp into the crisp 38 degree AM. Sammy Cat leaps off the orchard bank onto the gravel road and runs just so she’s ahead of my pace. I grab the Winona Daily Newspaper and push open the door to the original Trap Shack. Grabbing a handfull of furball control Purina Kitty Food, I throw it on the floor for Sammy. The light switch goes off and I pull hard to shut the door behind me. I plop the newspaper on top of the goat’s hay storage can and finish chores. Tom’s pet cow Patches is bellering as I pause @ First Pond. I settle into the soft pink sunrise and the whisper of fog that rises from the backwaters. So calm and now quiet. I make my way out to Sunrise Slough. The hum of semis on Highway 95 can be heard. I sing the song and two ducks float by me and then hide. Three cranes throatily call, a deep fall call. The Barred Owl says, “Who cooks for you?” More sweet melodies and the ducks circle now and land 20 feet off shore and we look into eachothers eyes. There’s three Mallards now. I bless and release and open my arms to a new day, a new way of thinking. I relax and let go of fear, anxiety and settle into the circle of life. I immerse myself into the blissful present and pray for the aligning of myself with my divine Creator. Sunrise Slough is erupting with pink colors. Moon is still so bright and 3/4 full. I get in the gap as Dr. Wayne Dyer would say. I search for the space between the branches on the yellowing trees. That’s where the peaceful quiet spots seep deep in my soul. Our neighbor’s dog barks in the distance. Faint cricket sounds and awakening birds in the trees. It’s times like this when I hear the footsteps beside me as I travel the deep path. I feel the presence of all who have walked these lands before me and am so thankful for this gift. I catch myself pausing and then the knowing is so clear-a  deep clarity that ignites my internal vision fire. We’re all so programmed to do more, be more and our harshest critic is the ego voice that provides the incessant mental chatter that moves us away from our divine purpose. Step into nature and the now and find the peace that exists within us all when aligned withour divine calling. I feel the deep rumblings of a movement within the Universe. I embrace the cosmic dance and recognize that I’m a co-creator in my life. I accept responsibility for every minute of my life. I signed up for these life lessons with God when we all were there. We all were there-n o division based on religion, color, financial status or judgements. Just aligned so beautifully with our Creator. It’s  here now,  for what we all seek is peace. It’s found inside us right now. I stop the song and another sign arises from the treetops in the form of a Bald Eagle. The mighty Eagle is a reminder of soaring higher when the pesty crows chase us. Rise above and be the observer. A coyote yips in the morning cover. It has been a powerful walking meditation for me. I arrive back to the lower farm and I shut my eyes for the last song. I knew it would be a special sign for all the vision. There in the morning sky were huge cloud lips there to kiss me in the morning sun. My Creator’s lips to take me to higher places. The sunrise was magnificient. My favorite colors are pink and red. It was a blending of soft and bright red and pink. Streams of light shot heavenward and radiated with being. Awestruck I was again filled with gratitude. The Canadian Geese flew over and I continued up the path to our house. I floated in the door and the phone rang. My brother Tim was calling. Tim’s first words were, “How’s Hawken doing?” Then Tim shared he’d never seen a sunrise with pink and red colors together like he just observed. I smiled and delighted in the deep connection we share, when we’re looking @ the gift of the PRESENT.

Feel the Spirit in Peace and Love,

Sue Roskos