Watching the Fog Clear

a momentary break in the rain; featuring swirling fog, glorious mountains, and sparkling raindrops

I could feel my apathy deepening as the fog and rain dragged on. I am not usually one to complain about such moody conditions; in fact, they are often my favourite days, but when combined with the dreariness of a half-melted forest — my entire being craved a brighter day.

Two weeks, or thereabouts, passed by under a near-constant thick blanket of cloud and fog. When I woke yesterday, it looked no different. But I was pulled outside regardless.

It turns out, I was in for a treat.

Up the hill I slowly trudged; through deep enough snow so saturated with rainwater that it now felt like slowly drying cement. Slowly, slowly, my legs still burned and my lungs worked furiously, despite the snail’s pace.

A habit when there are no conditions pulling me in a specific direction, I found myself atop my usual bluff. And I looked out over a valley filled with fog. But briefly, hope flared as a bright spot appeared behind the clouds. It grew, it shrank, shifted and swirled, then disappeared altogether.

I turned from the clouds as I was once again engulfed in the thick grey. Finding myself surrounded by a bounty of raindrops, I became entranced.

Divine. Ethereal. I discovered whole worlds held within these tiny drops of water. Suspended. Sparkling.

The way they catch a beam of light, causing a glimmer and a tiny sun star.

I was eventually stirred from my raindrop-focus when I heard a little critter nibbling away at a treat found within the branches of a pine tree.

Having focused my attention to the forest behind me for so long, I finally realized much of the fog had lifted, I could see mountains again. And the sky, blue, hazy, but clearing more and more with each passing moment.

I let the sun fill me up, warm my face, and brighten my mood — I had missed its light. I had missed the sky. We are no strangers to long and dark winters here in the mountains, I am used to it, mostly — but the sun melted away a melancholy that had been building over the past few weeks.

Another walk, another morning of pure magic — thank you for coming along with me.

Until next time,

♡ Whitney

---