There are unchangeable things in life. No amount of willpower, desire, effort can bring about change, alter what we find ourselves facing, or reroute our trajectory in the face of the impossible.

A friend who lost both of his beloved parents within 5 weeks of each other. Watching the countless days, weeks, months of almost constant care for their well being and the toll and beauty of that profound love.

A friend facing cancer squarely, resolutely, unexpectedly. The fear, the shock, the determination.

My own parents starting over in a new place, building onto a new season in their lives, very much against their own will. Unexpected blessing. Real loss as well.

A broken heart - broken because love is real and real love invariably hurts excruciatingly at some point.

A job in jeopardy. To work diligently for years, showing up every day for years even when desire was never a factor, always learning, growing, trying to be the absolute best in that job because it's who you are, and then...

Facing a hidden (to the outside world) ailment, but knowing it could alter your life.

Watching a friend lose one loved one after another in mere months. Death - the ultimate separation. To be left with that compounded hollow void in the heart that time does not heal.

I woke up on Thursday morning last week with so many of these things on my mind while simultaneously facing my own impossible, my own unchangeable realities. The morning sun rays felt muted and dull. I have been considering a short trip to Colorado, but the weather has been uncooperative and my own life chaotic/full. I checked the weather in the mountains and saw three clear days in the forecast. I made extremely quick preparations for a 2 night get-away, the boys tossed a coin to see who would be my journey companion, we packed the Sequoia for camping, grabbed two dogs and Madigan and I headed for the wild Colorado mountains.

It was good. So very good. We camped alongside a beaver-filled creek and hiked into the Ice Lakes area.

We hiked 11 miles and 3000 feet in elevation, up to the Island Lake, and 12,300 feet. It was breathtaking in every way. We talked when we could breathe and it was so good to have some one-on-one time with this amazing man.

I prayed. I sat quietly by the lake and just felt the absolute quiet. I had no cell service for more than 48 hours - a relief. This creation, this overwhelming beauty puts so many things into perspective.

I returned from the trip exhausted and no longer weary. :-)