by Sandra Rippetoe © 2020
for Opal Muncy

The view from the mountain is awesome to behold.
You can see all the twists and turns of life,
the paths taken and not taken.

You can see all the happy celebrations, and remember
the heartache and grief, both near and far away,
as both wind their way through the hollows.

The heartache and grief feel different up here
because the trees soothe with their healing breezes,
like the breath of God touching hearts.

Because the trees soothe, there’s an abiding kindness
rising in the mist with a scent of hope in the air.
“All is well,” says the forest.

Rising in the mist, my eyes fill up,
I remember dear Opal’s smile
and gratitude comes at that moment.