My Salvation

I had just reached the summit of the mountain; The final reward for my four hour hike up the steep terrain. There was still snow in abundance at the peak Even though the summer sun bathed me in light from the cloudless sky. The sweat, in which I was fully drenched, Was turning cold against my aching body once I sat down for a rest and a view of the wondrous landscape below. Each deep breath I inhaled further cleansed my soul; further restored my spent energy. I sat and contemplated. Even though I was alone, atop this glorious mountain; Even though I passed no other hikers along the trail on which I labored for four hours; Even though I was so high up, I could not make out any signs of human life in the miles and miles of God’s green earth that stretched out before me down below; I somehow felt less lonely here than I do when I walk amongst the hordes of people in a mall; Or, sit in a crowded theater; Or, stand on the train because there are no seats left upon which to sit; Or, walk the hallways of an office building full of employees just waiting for the time to go home. At the same instance, while in awe of the beauty in the scenery I took in, I felt so miserably insignificant and yet, so magnificently important. My legs ached. My heart pounded. My feet throbbed. My back tightened. And, I had never felt better in all my life. I sipped water from the bottle that accompanied me up the mountain. I ate the power bar with the knowledge that going back down is no easy proposition. I watched the sun slowly get closer to the distant horizon. And, I smiled. And, I cried. Then, it came time to head back down. I felt like I was leaving my best friend on my way back to prison to finish out my sentence: Found guilty of having accumulated debts that must be paid; Found guilty of having responsibilities demanding my attention; Found guilty of embarking on a career path that rewards me monetarily while sucking away the spirit of my soul. But, I will be back. Not to this same mountain, but certainly to this same state of mind on another peak. This is my rehabilitation. This is my church. This is my salvation.