breezy mountain day

I closed my eyes and heard the sound of the river as it rushed over the rocks, getting caught in swirling pools between the boulders. I can still taste the salty mix of M&M's, raisins, sunflower seeds and peanuts we would munch in the canoes for a snack. I hear the sounds of the girls laughing, reaching over the wooden edge of the boat to cup a palm full of cool mountain water and splash it on each other's arms. 

Those days working as a camp counselor always seem closer than the many years ago when I go back to the mountains. I think back to the mornings waking up at dawn to hear the birds chirping outside my cabin and pulling my sleeping bag closer against the morning chill. I hope Lila has a summer at camp when she is older, a summer filled with lake dives, hand built camp fires and friendship bracelets. 

As I watched her surprised look of excitement as I let her feet edge into the cold water, I giggled along with her. She edged out along the riverbed, squealing with glee as the water climbed higher on her legs. Reaching over and patting the top of the water with her hands, she would try to catch the leaves drifting by. I closed my eyes and laughed, knowing my girl felt the same warmth of the mountains in her heart as I still do today.

Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping slowly away beneath you, 

you will suddenly know everything there is to be known.

~Winnie the Pooh