Home

Upon returning to the mountains after the great flood I could not wait two full days before embarking on a hike. A good friend and I decided to travel up to Bible Point, a short hike up a summit with a fantastic panoramic view at the top. Fall was definitely in the mountains that day with cool clear weather making for perfect hiking weather. The trail is neither long nor difficult even with some washout from the heavy rains. After a trip up through aspens and pines we at last reached the summit and spent nearly an hour taking in the surrounding countryside while enjoying the fantastic weather.

During this whole hike I could not believe how wonderful it was to be home. Here in the mountains is where I belong, where I am happiest, and where I thrive. So often I have been asked by the tourists and seasonal residents where is my home. If I could see their faces I am quite sure I would see a look of surprise when I explain that this is my home. But even if my permanent residence was elsewhere I believe I would still claim the mountains as my home for, as the old saying goes, home is where the heart is.

I am a strong believer that the term “home” is one of the most commonly misused words in any language. Nearly any average person when asked will call home the place where they reside, the mail gets delivered, and where they lay their head for most of the year. But is that where their heart truly is? Is it possible that home can be a place you travel to once a year or even less? Ask yourself where is the one place you were happiest? The answer is different for all of us. Some people will discover that their residence is also their home because it is the happiest place they have ever known and that is perfectly acceptable. For others it will be the place they grew up. Some have a vacation spot that feeds their souls every time they return. There are even some people who have only been to a place be a single time but for that brief period in their lives it was the happiest time they remember. 

It is a rather fascinating thought that one could have only been home once in their entire lives but that certainly does not have to be a negative thought. Perhaps some individuals may even have more than one home? Deciding just where home is for yourself can require some deep introspection but when you finally realize where your own home or homes are you will come to appreciate it all the more. I even believe that this self-realization will allow you to appreciate the other places you have been as you will gain the ability to compare and contrast these other places and realize what makes them good or bad but not quite home for you.

It is such a tragedy that far too many people will spend too much of their lives in a place they are not happy just because of a paycheck or because they think there is no way to go home. Certainly an income is important and relocating can be costly and difficult but, to me, those concerns and difficulties pale in comparison to being in a place where your soul is not happy and free. There are those who are content where they reside and they get to visit home every now and again. These individuals are happy in this scenario and therefor are to be considered lucky. Then there are the most fortunate souls of all, the ones who live at home. For these blessed folks such as myself, we rise every morning knowing that we are living, loving, and laughing in the place we love above all others. This is as close to heaven on earth as one can achieve.

As I sat on my porch that evening after my hike and dinner I heard an elk bugling in the distance. I was suddenly overwhelmed with a deep sense of gratitude that life, fate, or some deeper power had brought me to my true home and graciously allowed circumstances to work that I may live in this phenomenal place. I suddenly understood the bugling elk; he was bidding me a warm welcome home.