Your Story Well Told

Sorry I'm late with this,

My Monday was good, being retired has changed Mondays significantly for me. Had a great coaching session and then went to the gym for a little exercise. Set aside time to work on a story I was developing for the Wednesday, Berkley Moth's 'Magic" topic. I'm always amazed at how much work it is to not only develop the idea of a story. but the practice, adjusting, reworking, and letting go of cherished aspects. There is this process I sometimes struggle with balancing creative license and fidelity to the story. Ultimately, I finding it enjoyable but sometimes a little time consuming, hence my late response.

Sadly, I did not get picked to go up and tell my story about a magical dog.

Every year I volunteer in Yosemite for, at least, the month of September. Most people who know me, know this moth is off limits for scheduling anything with me. To pick out one moment in this month to tell a story about is always difficult because the people I volunteer with are like my September family and it always feels like a coming home and a reunion. It is a very special month in my year.

However, if I have to pick one it would be this this year. While I was talking with a German father and his two sons who were visiting Yosemite for the first time. They were traveling from the increadibly beautiful Bavaria region of Germany. We chatted for some time and I was sharing my history with and my love of, Yosemite. But I also frequently ask visitors what their favorite parts of the park have been and what they hope to experience. To my surprise this father and his sons (all well into adulthood) were moved to tears about their experinces visiting the park. And in that moment we were all connected on a deeper level then simply foreign visitor and park volunteer. It was amazing.