Not alone

Looking at footprints on a trail, highlighted by the golden glow of the setting sun, reminds me that I’m not alone during this lonely path in life. Usually I’m very happy to hike alone and process the events of the day or week in my head. I like the quiet time to listen to the birds, watch the lizards jump around, and sometimes stumble onto a shy mule deer or javelina. But moving into a new chapter of life is always a little lonely, even when surrounded by friends and family.

As the setting sun sinks below the mountain’s horizon, I think about the roles and relationships in my life that are fading away. And that’s okay! Everything has a season, and it’s time for me to move onto new roles and relationships. I’ve done it before, and I can do it again. During that golden hour of transition, the hope of a new horizon creates a beautiful vision to look forward to.

Moving through the soft glow, I am grateful for all of my family and friends. I am content with my belongings and career. I know I am blessed. As the glow fades, I am reminded by the stillness of twilight that there is a period of darkness between sunset and sunrise. And that’s true for life as well. As I’m moving from one chapter to another, I need to experience and embrace this alone time, my twilight hour.

And there’s the light of the planets and stars to shine along the way while I transition to my new chapter in life. So I am not alone.