MOUNT RAINIER

 I posted most of this about 2 years ago.  During this past year so many new blog friends have asked me if I live in the Northwest because of the Mountain.  I've explained the reason for my photo several times to individuals, but decided this would be a good way to fill in the gaps.  So... here goes.

During worship at my church here in Omaha, the last song was I Stand in Awe of You. It's one I like, but I had no idea it was going to overwhelm me. As soon as the lyrics showed on the screen, so did Mount Rainier.-- [An especially wonderful treat to swarm my heart and eyes here in the not-overly-hilly place] -- A beautiful picture. My favorite sight ... period. Even though I've been blessed to see wonderful, breath-takingly beautiful scenery in other places in the States and the world ... this one is "it" for me. My sisters who live in the Northwest have told me that when they see the Mountain in all its glory they think of me and how much I would enjoy that particular sight at that particular moment in time.

I have lots of photos of the Mountain, but even the best of them lacks the true reality of the view.

Back in March, 2003, while I was in Tacoma, checking up on my Mom, a time when seeing the Mountain is not so frequent because of the cloudy spring days, I was seldom able to have the blessing of seeing it. However, there were a couple of times... and I wrote some less-than-wonderful prose/poetry about it. But decided that I would pop it your direction and you can laugh/roll your eyes and wonder about my addictive personality -- well not "wonder" about it, but have it proven once again.

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MOUNTAIN GROUPIE

I’ve pleaded with The Creator for just one more look -

Climbed atop my car in a parking lot to take a photo

 sans poles and power lines.

===

I’ve begged for a seat on the Mountain side of a plane

so I could gaze

 just one more time–
 When exiting the Cascade Mountain range.

 

I’m not sure why any of this is true.

Maybe I have a hole in my faith 

that needs visual reminders

that no matter the problems

or the challenges

The God Who made the Mountain –

Can handle my molehills.

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MOUNTAIN GROUPIE – PART 2

I’ve never thought of myself as a “groupie”

I’m not easily OVERimpressed.

But, today,

on a plane –

rubbernecking and photographing –

I realized

I am an unabashed,

uncontrolled, uninhibited, overawed

Mount Rainier groupie.

I don’t, like some, worship the Mountain,

I worship the Maker of the Mountain –

He who made the rain –

Made Mount Rainier.

I’m so glad He did.

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FROM THE FERRY

Seattle to Bremerton --

I despaired of never seeing

“my” Mountain 
during the weeks-long visit –

Too many gray days,

overcast, clouds plumping

around the sky edges...

BUT – on the ferry – out on Puget Sound –

we broke ‘round an island

and

in majesty

SHE rose off the horizon

– Center stage –

Robed in Light.

[I was ready to jump up and down 
and scream with delight!]

If you’ve never seen The Mountain –

You can’t possibly understand

the rush of awe, of joy,

I find with every encounter.