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Finding the "Holy" at the Grand CanyonI arrived at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon with my husband after three hot days of driving. By the time we reached our cabin at the North Rim that Saturday evening, we were tired and hot, and ready to enjoy our vacation.We looked around the area and experienced the Grand Canyon view for the first time, with all of the required oohs and aahs. Then we checked out the lodge, our cabin and the dining area. We cleaned out our travel cooler and ate the leftovers for supper. Our cabin, built by Teddy Roosevelt's crews, looked just like a Lincoln Log cabin. It even had a green roof. We went out again to explore a little more. Curious to see if weekend Mass would be available, I headed back to the main lodge. I found a small black schedule board that read something like this: Saturday Sunrise: 6:20 AM Mass: 5:00 PM Ranger Talk: 7:00 PM Sunset: 8:15 PM Sunday Sunrise: 6:10 AM Service: 8:00 AM Sunset: 8:20 PM I understood that we had arrived too late for Mass and that Sunrise would be at 6:10 AM and a non-denominational service would be held at 8:00 AM. But somehow, somewhere in my brain, I decisively recorded the following: Sunday Sunrise Service 6:10 AM. It sounded so right. Bright and early the next morning at 6 AM, I jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes and ran out the door leaving my husband soundly asleep. I walked out past the lodge, along the edge of the canyon to a look-out point. I found a good seat on a big boulder where I found myself in total solitude. Silence. The sun's glow was coming from the east, my left. Rays slowly broke over the edge of the horizon. To my right the tops of the canyon walls began to glow red through the light fog. The color spread down as the sun rose. I had seen the Grand Canyon the evening before, but in that moment I met the Grand Canyon. I watched the changes in colors. The immenseness of it began to sink in for the first time. Silence. Silence. I remembered a song from church that I liked, "On Eagle's Wings," and began to sing it softly. I lifted a prayer of thanksgiving and joy. I heard silence. I heard peace. I heard more than ears could hear. The day was beginning, now. The sky was blue and the upper canyon was lit. Birds began to chirp. A pair of hikers passed me down the trail. This would be a great day, I just knew. I got up and walked along the trail a ways, enjoying the flowers and the birds and the changing view of the canyon. More people -- parents and children -- out exploring. I headed back past the lodge where people were beginning to arrive for breakfast. I went to our cabin, to my husband, and to a great day ahead of us. I have a wonderful memory of attending the Sunrise Service that first morning at the North Rim. The Sermon was one of the best I've ever heard. About the author: Paths began to beckon Theresa when she was 12, visiting the Bridger Wilderness in Wyoming. Walking, dancing, and movement are a part of her, nourished by John Denver's musical challenge for her to "fly." Join her "walking with women" Life Discovery Tours. Learn more about Theresa Gabriel Women Summit LLC http://www.womensummit.com- Life Discovery Tours - Women's Retreats Circulated by Article Emporium
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