A man named Charlie Brown lent my father money to buy his cabin in the Bighorn mountains of Wyoming. My family couldn’t quite afford it, but as a complete stranger, Charlie made sure we bought the cabin. Why? Because it spoke to my father. And Charlie wanted to make sure his beloved and humble home in the mountains was in the right hands.
Charlie ended up being my dad’s surrogate father. They climbed Mt. Whitney together when Charlie was 76 and spent countless moments as “father and son” until Charlie finally passed. As a child, I loved the cabin, but I never fully understood its power until I was older.
INDULGE ME FOR A MOMENT while I show how our little cabin in the woods means more today than ever. In a world that focuses a lot on “me” – what MY kid did today, MY wedding anniversary, MY political beliefs, MY need to feel recognized,
NATURE SEES NONE OF IT.
It just flows. The creek keeps winding through the rocks, breaking them down in its destructively beautiful way. It carves through the mountains and creates canyons. Meanwhile, trees fight to survive in any crevice they can find amongst the rocks. The ultimate test of perseverance, they never complain about their circumstances or plight. They dig deeper amongst hardship and force their roots inwards. There is no drama, no separation between species. No bravado in competition. All things are TOGETHER in the fight to survive. No intentional division.
THERE IS NO FEAR OF DISEASE.
No fear of the next forest fire or parasite that could potentially level the forest. No disease that could spread throughout flora and fauna. Instead, there is complete trust in the process and the symbiotic nature of each plant and animal. There is no past, no future. Only now. After all,
NOW IS THE ONLY TIME THERE IS.
This little cabin with no internet, no phones, no “connection”, renewed me in its profound way. I am reminded of the simplicity of life and left again with a deep respect of being part of something greater than myself. When you are lost in your thoughts. When you are overwhelmed by the complexity of this world,
LOOK TO NATURE.
A simple walk outside. Closing your eyes and letting the sun warm your skin. It will fill your heart with all the important things you need
Thanks Charlie Brown…
– Natasha