Reset

This week felt a bit like a reset week. I didn't take a day off or do anything especially resetting... but there was a lot of good soul time. Sometimes that's all it takes.

The week started at Grand Teton National Park in Jackson Hole, WY. It's so beautiful. There was a dusting of snow and the silence was palpable. At one turn, there was a single deer in a snow dusted field and it felt wholly singular. As if it could have been the only deer in the whole park. And it seemed so at peace. I watched her for a while. It was somehow comforting.

I reluctantly left Jackson Hole and headed for a long drive to Laramie, Wyoming. For those of you who aren't in the know, Laramie is the location of the horrific death of a young University of Wyoming college student named Matthew Shepard. In 1998, he was robbed, beaten, and left for dead tied to a fence - because he was gay. His incredible mother, Judy, became a prominent LGBTQ+ activist and started the Matthew Shepard Foundation. Matthew's murder brought international attention to Hate Crimes Legislation and on October 28, 2009, President Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act into Law. There is now a memorial bench for Matthew in front of the Arts & Sciences Building. The plaque reads:

Matthew Wayne Shepard

December 1, 1978 - October 12, 1998

Beloved Son, Brother, and Friend

He continues to make a difference

Peace be with him and all who sit here

Peace has been heavy on my heart this week. As you may recall from last week, it was the title of the blog. I read that plaque and immediately began to cry. It all felt so big. There is so much more in this world. There are so many people suffering. There are so many people who are not protected, respected, or thought to be equal. I sat there for a long time. Praying. Breathing. Thanking Matthew for the changes his ultimate sacrifice has made in our world. Thanking Judy for the work she continues to do. It was a humbling and sobering experience.

Once I was collected, it was time to drive on to Colorado. The section of Wyoming between Laramie and the Colorado border is gorgeous and the northern edge of Colorado to Rocky Mountain National Park is stunning. I ended up getting to the park just before 4p when I needed to settle to finish up my time on Uncle Vanya at Fordham. So I hit the park the next morning. It was extremely windy and cold, but the drive through the park was so beautiful. And the wind was picking up the snow on the caps on the tops of the mountains... it was amazing. I treated myself to a sit down lunch at the base of the park and they sat me next to the window with the most beautiful view...

I breathed easier as I drove in to Denver. My friend Eric and his family hosted me for a few days in the city. There was family dinner and movie nights and adventures all around Denver. The Simon family was incredibly generous with their space and hearts.

On my second day in Denver, I was able to catch up with a dear friend from NYC who now lives there. We talked for hours. And today, before heading out of town, I caught up with one of my best friends from college who also now lives there. It was all so good for my soul. A reconnection to people who mean so much and have deeply impacted my life.

Today, I left Denver and drove through Garden of the Gods - so so beautiful - and landed just outside of Great Sand Dunes National Park - where week 7 will start tomorrow.

It's hard to believe it's been 6 1/2 weeks on the road. It somehow feels like a second and a lifetime. I've had some good thinking time this week. I've had some great heart to hearts. I had family time and old friend time. I'm so grateful for all of the time. My soul is wide awake.

This next stretch will be full of National Parks. Let the adventure continue.

IMAGES: (top left) Snow capped mountains behind leaf barren trees in Grand Teton National Park. (top right) Garden of the Gods red rock formations. (bottom left) Red Rocks Amphitheater - empty. (bottom right) second Elk siting - many elk in a field with male with antlers front and center.