Hellooooo from the depths of mud season which is that transitional time between Winter (ski season) and Summer (mountain bike season), or what others would commonly call Spring. High Country locals are more descriptive and perhaps more honest about what happens in April and May at 9,000+ feet and so they opt for alternative wording. The snow is melting big-time from the mountains and while new life is emerging in greens and other vibrant colors, the common and constant element around our feet these days is brown and squishy. This is a time when the living room carpet turns from white to gray (ha! that happened awhile ago...) and the high country people as a whole slow down and even disperse. Many of the restaurants and stores close down or reduce hours, knowing that tourism is light and it is a chance for workers to re-charge.
There are days this week when my hospital has had a whopping ZERO patients, making my chaplain job pretty easy on the outset and allowing me time for other pursuits (ie blogging!). However, one difficult psycho-social trend that occurs in mud season is an increase in depression and perceived isolation, and a correlating decrease in ability to cope. This tragic combination leads to spikes in alcohol and substance abuse as well as an increase in suicides and suicide attempts among all ages. This trend and its predictability from year-to-year is a particularly challenging and devastating part of ministry in the mountains of which I was previously unaware. I am still discerning how I personally and how we as a community can best respond. I attended an intensive 15-hour suicide intervention training provided by the school district this winter, and I am presently working with my church's education team to plan a suicide prevention training later this year. I was so sad, and still am, to lose one of my first and kindest friends at church to suicide last fall. I expect to return to this heavy topic with a suggestion of resources at a later time.
Needless to say, it's been a year of great learning and high adventure for me in my first job as a staff chaplain and as a year-round resident of the mountains. I am delighted to report that I skied a record FORTY-THREE days which is probably close to the entire number of ski days in my life prior to the move. Locals complained that it was the worst year for snow in decades, but as a newbie, I was thrilled. A bad ski day in the Rockies still beats a good ski day in the Midwest or East Coast simply based on the mountains' size, the high altitude, and lack of humidity which leads to the glorious experience of skiing in soft, fluffy snow.
Another favorite season lurks around the corner: This summer, I look forward to tackling another 14-er with my beloved, taking my dog (the other beloved) for long walks near streams and lakes, trying out mountain biking and maybe rafting, and building up my endurance and speed as a road cyclist- all while maintaining a peaceful, non-hostile relationship with moose and other wildlife of which I continue to be in awe. I will also develop my AirB&B business and explore marketing opportunities to work as a wedding chaplain (the mountains naturally are a prominent wedding destination!). As always, I welcome any chance I have to host or meet up with visiting friends and family. A niece is in town this week and one of my besties will be here next week. This makes my heart happy to overflowing.
Amidst the peaks and valleys and sheer messiness of mud, joy indeed abounds.
