Thousands of Aspen trees surround an unpaved path with one visible pine tree ahead in the distance. The perfect dark, brown knots and knobs line each white bark with no particular pattern. Known for their slender and tall shape, they are grouped by their masses, as if they have grown their own armies and will withstand any fight. Some white bark trees are leaning toward another; are they seeking support of those nearby or do they know how strong they are and are pushing their limits for greater strength? Some are leaning into the air, with no tree close by for support. Are they strong enough to withstand a wind storm and keep from falling into the deep fluffy snow below? Or will their light bodies crack and fall to the cold and dark floor and be lost
hiding in the depths until late spring when the snow has melted and new growth surrounding it?
I want to reach out and touch the Aspen before me, his smooth white bark, brown fragile limbs, rooted knots. His small fragile arms reaching to the left as if to confuse me to walk in that direction when it is the lone pine I seek straight ahead.
Standing in the crowd of Aspens, there is enough light from the white snow and the white barks keeping my journey light, yet up ahead the natural light looks dimmer. But is it really? With one full, deep inhale, filling my lungs with fresh mountain air, it is clear to me that the light here is just as light as it is further up. With a long exhale, clearing my lungs, making room for more crisp mountain air, I am eager to continue one step at a time to journey further into the unpaved path and closer to the lone pine knowing there are many more pines visible from the crowded mass of Aspens surrounding me.
This path is bright and fulfilling, as I dance around the Aspens and skip through their unparallel pattern, keeping my eyes on the lone pine. My journey now and tomorrow are just I plan it, to be in the middle of thousands of Aspens, looking ahead to one pine anticipating the glory of seeing thousands more.
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