Winding Down

The busy summer schedule is over. The sun is lower in the sky and the days are getting shorter and cooler. We have changed to our winter schedule as far as meal times and worship times. There are fewer sessions on the schedule now and a lot fewer guests arriving daily at the village. Most of the summer staff are gone.

My time here is also winding down. I will be leaving Holden on Tuesday after being here almost 2 1/2 years. This has been an amazing time for me and, although I feel sadness about leaving, I know that it is time to move on. I have come to love living in the mountains and will certainly miss this place. I will miss the beautiful surroundings. I will miss the fabulous weather of the four seasons. I will miss the hustle and bustle of the busy summers and the breathtaking beauty of the quiet winters. I will miss my small room. I will miss sitting on the porch swing. I will miss not having to cook. I will miss my friends here. I will miss the daily worship services. I will miss the opportunity to attend classes and meet interesting people. I will take many fond memories (and pictures) with me as I leave.

My friend and office mate, Nancy, wrote a song many years ago about leaving Holden. It is one that has a special meaning for me and I want to share it now.

There's a place in the mountains I lived for a time
The scent of the river, the fresh air and pine
Even when I've moved on, other places to roam
I know that these mountains will always be home.

And life in the Cascades is calling me back
The place where the snow meets the sun
And the stars shine so bright in the pale moonlight
Life is only begun; I'll be there when my life is done.

There's a trail that I've hiked and a mountain I've climbed
A place on a ridge where I've sat time after time.
I don't know where I'm going or what's at the end
Maybe someday I'll see where I've been.

And life in the Cascades is calling me back
The place where the snow meets the sun
And the stars shine so bright in the pale moonlight
Life is only begun; I'll be there when my life is done.
Written by Nancy Rerucha Borges

When I leave here I will be taking a trip to Wisconsin and Iowa. I will be leaving from Wenatchee by train on October 1 and returning on the 10th. I will pick up my car and my belongings and spend a week or so on the coast before heading east again to visit family in Sheridan, Wyoming. From there I will head back to Texas. I look forward to seeing my family and friends there and make plans for my next adventure. So stay tuned!