Natural Setting #2

I recently went camping in Shenandoah National Park. It rained most of the weekend, only relenting for a few hours on Saturday. During those few hours, we took a walk on a trail that ran alongside the campground, that soon brought us well into the woods with no people in sight. Fog had descended on the woods and I could only see a few feet in front of me. Quickly, I was out of sight of both of my parents and I continued to walk through the woods. It was an uncanny feeling, not being able to see the tree until it was right in front of me, not being able to see where the trail lead. I felt helpless, like an intruder, one that was disturbing the blanket of peace that had settled on the woods. At the same time, I felt like I was immensely privileged. The woods - or their Creator - had extended an invitation to me, saying, "Here, I have something beautiful to show you." I had never seen the woods in the way that I saw them that day. Every few minutes, a flower would pop out amongst the fog, a glimpse of color in the midst of the grey. I had the distinct sense that I was walking where I did not belong and yet, it was only by mercy that I was allowed to stay there.

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