Mietzke's POST Holden Adventure

I took a long walk with Nyrie today and it felt a little bit like awaking from a fog. We walked along the trail towards ten mile falls, and I was able to notice the sway of her slight body and the sounds our feet made on the path. I felt like I was drinking in the moment deeply; the new spring greens that line the forest floor and the footprints of deer in the melting snow and mud. The wind was whipping its way across the ridge tops sending swirls of snow high into the air and the smell of damp spring earth filled me with a sense of belonging.
I soaked up the sound of the owls calling back and forth in the forest and the trickle of melting snow and rain as it winds its way down the hill, and finally the roar of the waterfall itself as we came around the bend.

I loved listening to Nyrie talk about her hopes for the future about her dreams of where we might end up after Holden. I have been holding this anticipation and the responsibility of decision making so close that I have been missing all of life going on around me missing out on my beautiful girls and Dave.
Nyrie wrapped her arms around me the whole way and filled me with ideas of joy for this next step. I have been so bogged down with being the responsible adult that I was missing the joy of adventure.

I sat on the porch of Chalet 10 today with Rachel. We decided to spend some time painting together and with the rain the porch was the best spot. We sat mostly in silence taking in the straight and curves that make up copper basin and trying to put it to paper. I found myself (as often is the case) being amazed at the depth and color of this valley with its dramatic peaks outlined against the sky and the deep greens of the trees that climb ever upwards. Holden is so beautiful nestled in to this valley.

The girls and I ended the day snuggling on the couch reading with the patter of rain and the whir of hummingbird wings outside of the window. It was peaceful end to a needed day of rest.

I love watching her face
As she stands in the afternoon sunshine
She is filled with patient sobriety
Waiting
Waiting
For helicopter wings
And tiny feet to dance
On her out stretched hand

She stood there yesterday stock still
A half an hour at a time waiting
Not daring to move
For fear she would miss her moment of communion
Then the hummingbird came
First one then another
To the feeder

Trusting this patient human perch
Whose eyes glowed with delight
And wonder
And twinkled with laughter at the beauty
Of tiny green, brown, and red feathers
And the feeling of trust
Between them

In this meeting of feather and skin
In the warmth of the sunny porch
In the quiet patient waiting and stillness,
Joy found a home

The village is teaming over with business as we prepare the village for the summer crowds. The wood pecker is busily hammering along with hard working villagers. I have had a paint crew all week working on the dining hall they were efficient and fun to work with and the dining hall is transforming! The people who have been with me are wonderful. I think leading work groups is possibly one of my favorite things!
It had been breezy today and the trees are dancing and making beautiful spring sounds. The birds are out in droves pulling worms from the uncovered soil, helicoptering near feeders, and soaring to and fro over the village.
This morning Dave came into the living room only to find a humming bird sitting on the chandelier. He opened up the front door and invited her back out into the day. Even the chipmunks and squirrels are making their first spring appearance.
We have been taking the window coverings off of all of the buildings and opening up doors and windows that have been closed up all winter and the fresh spring breeze is blowing curtains and airing things out.
The work week seems to be going smoothly with everyone pitching in to aide in the transition. We have beautiful new table tops for the dining room and the new bookstore is coming right along, and the carpentry crew is making lots of progress building cabinets and shelves for the new offices. All of the plumbing is being turned on and the village power is starting to rise. All of the bedding is being brought out and the rooms in the lodges cleaned and readied for summer visitors. This preparation process is being lovingly and joyously done and it is fun to take part in it.
It has been fun to have so many people in the village. As we ready the village for summer I am also preparing our family for leaving. Our time at Holden has been such an amazing and strengthening time for us. It has deepened both our connection to each other and to God. We have made good friendships and experienced the wrapping arms of community in such a beautiful way. We are grieving, and rejoicing at the prospects of the new journey before us, and as we head out we will leave will full hearts and readiness for our new adventure.

The Jay feels like my kind of bird squawking and fluttering and causing all kinds of excitement over seeds on my front porch.
We hung a bell of suet and seed from the porch yesterday and the jay keeps carrying on like I gave him the best present he has ever gotten, and there is no way he is going to share. You might think it was a new fancy car by his gestures of protection and the bragging that has been going on from the porch all morning. The jay has attracted the attention of so many other birds who have come to see what all the fuss is about, but the jay pecks at the seeds and brags, but will not share. He lets the others get close enough for a look, maybe a sniff of the food and then squawks and chases them off. The jay feels a little bit like a televangelist proclaiming the reign of God but biting you when you get to close to the truth. Am I this way with Chocolate? No, I hide it, and tell no one as it melts in my mouth. Chocolate is best consumed in private.

I normally try to keep too much of the downer parts of our life off of the blog, but I realized this week that I am tired and a little overwhelmed with job hunting, working, being a mother and a wife, trying to support Dave in his healing and adjustment to being in the village in a different way, and trying to prepare to move and really not knowing how to get everything done that I have to get done.
So I thought I would send a little petition out to ask for some prayer: for patience and discernment, the ability to be present in the here and now, and just general good thoughts to come our way as Dave is healing and as we prepare to leave Holden. Thanks to all of you who have shared your kindness with us over these two years and for checking in on us from time to time. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so much love.