Purple Flowers in the Desert

(Photo from google images)

Many people do CrAzY things for love. This past weekend was the case for me. Eve has been getting so excited as we drive in the car and she can spot out the big white Y on the mountain. So we thought well it's been a while since we did a recreational activity as a family why don't we hike the Y? Eve would just LOVE it! Those of you who are not familiar with the hike, it's ALL up hill, 2.4 miles round trip, uncovered very much exposed to the hot rays of the sun, & theres not much to look forward to but the letter Y that has been painted on this mountain. Oh yah I'm about 39 weeks pregnant hiking this strenuous hike. I knew it would take me longer than the average Joe this time around and I didn't expect my family to wait on me. So my stats looked something like this: hike, rested, hike rested, hike rested, hike, hike, rested, rested, rested, rested, hike, rested finally made it to the top! Overall it took me 2 hours & 15 min. and I really almost felt like fainting towards the last 100 feet when my knees started shaking & giving in (good thing Mark held my hand the rest of the way down). Things I appreciated on this hike that I didn't think I would; Purple flowers! As I rested and looked off to the side and noticed how dry this area was I noticed a bunch of purple flowers. It's as if I was carrying on a conversation with them (I probably needed more water at this point) I said to the flowers "why something as pretty as you want to grow in this dry ugly area?" "Of all the places you could grow, why here?" and it's as if they whispered back saying "For people like you, we want to make smile". This was so symbolic to me in many ways, but one I will share with you. Some of us are led or drawn to areas or situations that are not entirely ideal but you have a specific purpose for being there. Even though it may seem insignificant at the time, to the one who you were meant to be there for is an answered prayer. My whole way up I saw random purple flowers growing in places that were unusual but I know they were there for me to smile and give me the encouragement I needed to finish this hike. I spent most of my time looking down as I hiked because I didn't want to slip and fall. It was nice to see something pretty. I found myself appreciating rocks because it gave me a place to sit when I rested, appreciating the grasshoppers and lizards that ran across the path because I'm sure Eve was entertained. Finally when I reached the top I noticed something I never really noticed before. I saw beauty! I could see 2 temples, additional mountains, water and floating low clouds. I believe there is beauty everywhere if you look DEEP enough. Even at the Y!

P.s. And no, this did not induce labor;(