Seeking a Greater Canopy of Stars
Rocky Mountain Climbing #26- Seeking a Greater Canopy of Stars
On the flight to Houston, April 4th
As many of you know Suzy and I are moving to Colorado the summer of 2007. It’s only a few weeks away. We have been “planning” to move to Colorado almost from the time we met again 30 years after our high school graduation.
Why we want to move appears to be a fairly uncomplicated decision. Colorado is beautiful. We both like to ski and see snow. Cold doesn’t bother us too much. That’s the surface of the decision.
Suzy always has seen herself living: “in a cabin in the mountains”. While the house we are building is far from a cabin it is definitely in the mountains.
It is on a golf course too… it’s not exactly roughing it.
I have lived in a large and rapidly growing city for almost 26 years. Enough! While I am not a small town kind of guy, I yearn for something simpler.
I spent a summer in Colorado when I was 20 years old. Why I ever left is a recurring question I ask myself a lot. Even when I know I am returning. I chalk it up as circumstance.
Over the recent years as I have told friends that the reason I am moving to Colorado is: “STARS”. You see I remember the night the first men stepped on the moon. I was working in Colorado as a counselor in a summer camp for kids. That night we stretched a cord out to a group of outdoor tables and plugged in a TV to watch this historic event. Under the Colorado stars, in the light of a full moon I watched this incredible human event unfold.
I remember walking to the wash house in the moonlight and that it was so bright I had no trouble walking without the aid of any human light. In Dallas, there is so much ambient light, that sitting on our deck late at night on a clear night, we are unable to see more than a few dozen stars- only the largest of stars and planets.
So it came to me a few months ago, I was: “Seeking a greater canopy of stars.”
When I am in Colorado and look up on a clear night I can see millions and millions of stars. It takes my breath away unto this day.
When I see all of these stars I am completely humbled.
When I see all of these stars I am awestruck by the glory and majesty of God.
I am completely and truly in awe.
And to think this same God wants a personal relationship with even someone as insignificant as me… well I am still at a loss for words to describe this feeling.
So we head out to the stars of Colorado. This canopy of stars will keep me grounded yet open to the path God is laying out for both Suzy and me.
Please come visit us.
April 11th, 2007 at 8:54 am
My good friend Stephanie Davis emailed this to me and it is a very worthwhile posting, read on:
Hey Durk;
I can close my eyes and see the stars myself. I loved the imagery of your story. I also understand the awesome feeling. It is one I’ve grown up with my whole life, in Arkansas. The kids and I used to lay out on a blanket on my driveway or on the hood of my car, or on the trampoline and star-gaze. It is one of their favorite things to do. We have crawled out on the roof here a couple of times and tried to star gaze, but we are probably only seeing the same handful of stars that you see in Dallas. I do miss the “country” sometimes. I have to say I actually “crave” the country quite a bit. Steve and I took the kids to Martin nature park, just about a mile from here, last week. It was like being back home. We all LOVED it.
For an hour, out in those woods, walking the trail, coming across a little creek, tracking the animal prints, and just smelling the “woods”, it was easy to forget the city streets were anywhere near. We will be spending much more time there now that I know it exists. We also found two “letterboxes” in this nature park. I don’t know if you and Suzie hike much, but it is kind of fun to look for the letterboxes.
They are all over the world. Go to letterboxing.org to check it out. The kids really thought they had found a “treasure”, along with their heart rocks, porcupine eggs, etc…There is nothing like the treasures of nature. The kids never get tired of exploring God’s wonderful creations. Life is definitely simpler and time is slower in the “woods”.
Stephanie Davis
April 11th, 2007 at 9:18 am
Hey Durk,
How awesome that it is getting so close for your goal and dream to be reality. I have to add the moon to your stars. We live on nine acres 10 miles outside of Amarillo and I too have always loved the stars, but the moon is also awesome. September is my favorite month of the year just because it isn’t too hot to sit out on the patio in the evening and gaze at the stars and moon.
I wish you and Suzy the best of luck!
Blessings and a Hug,
Lacynda