Sara's Place...Where Melodies Ring On...

i was blessed to spend an afternoon at the Children's Village at Lions Park in Cheyenne recently. it was a chilly and windy afternoon where a small gathering of family and friends came together to remember and celebrate a life lived but a moment. they gathered to dedicate a place of peace, a place where children would gather and play for years, a place where melodies can ring out among the laughter and the giggles of the tiny feet that run about.

moments of silence were brought to an end by the sounds of the children running among us all. they would strike a melody in sara's place, giggle with glee as they dug in the sand, and shouted with joy at the chance to splash in the many water areas.








as we spent time walking around...thinking about a sweet life gone too soon i couldn't help but be watch all the children running around playing and and think about all that is and all that could be... all the hopes and dreams that were represented in each little foot print. as i reflected, thought and watched a song came to my heart-

"beautiful Lord" by Leeland "When the storm is raging all around me, You are the peace that calms my troubled sea and when the cares of this world darken my day You are the light that shines and shows me the way.
Oh, the beauty of Your majesty On the cross You showed Your love for me!
Beautiful Lord awesome and mighty, I’m captured by this love I see. Beautiful Lord tender and holy Your mercy brings me to my knees.
It’s Your mercy that has made me free, beautiful Lord.
When my sin is all that I can see Your grace remains the shelter that I seek and when my weakness is all I can give Your gentle Spirit gives me strength again and oh, the beauty of Your majesty on the cross You showed Your love for me.
And I am lifted by Your love to sing! It’s Your mercy that has made me free!
You’re beautiful, my Lord. You’re beautiful, my Lord"

it was a sweet day with friends... may Sara's song go on in the lives of those who loved her and knew her even if it was only for a moment....for moments are memories for a life time!

sing your song...play your melody....and dance!
Lizzy

Herding Buffalo...AKA a road trip across Wyoming-Buffalo, Wyoming to be exact!

I have always Loved Wyoming and all that it has to offer. It truly is one of the most beautiful States I have ever driven through... and I have driven from one side of the United States to the other, so I don't just say that because I was raised here. It is not a bias statement. There are plenty of things about Wyoming that I get frustrated with, like our forever Winter weather- I mean just today we had snowflakes, rain, amazing sunshine and sleet all in a matter of hours... it can wear on a person. BUT all that aside... there is something about driving through a flat, dry almost barren dust bowl to have the road dip out and suddenly you are looking at the foothills of a National Forest, the foothills of the Rockies, of the Big Horn Mountain range, the Grand Tetons, Yellow Stone... the list goes on.

Recently I had to make a trip to Buffalo Wyoming-- yes it is just as exciting as it sounds. BUT it is also one of the coolest little old towns you could ever visit. I didn't take any pictures of the town, but one day after sitting in a training all day I decided to take a 20 min drive and go into the foothills of the Big Horn Mountains... and more importantly "Crazy Woman Canyon". I took my trusty camera along and grabbed a few shots as this was my first 're-entrance' into all things "Wyoming Mountains". ENJOY

Anyone up for a little hike???

You're safe...I'm shooting with a Nikon today!

Not sure if you can see him...but this is what we call "open range!" little grazing taking place... ahh I love being HOME!

Take me home...to the place I belong!

Pure BEAUTY... takes my breath away!

This is where the road dips down into "Crazy Woman Canyon" as I walked down into the area to take a few photos this old man comes around the corner with 2 dogs. Kind of startled me. He was exactly what you would picture for someone living down in the canyon. A bigger man, missing a more teeth then he had, had on a plaid shirt and bib overalls that didn't button on the side due to his girth. He spent a good amount of time sizing me up. I'm sure I looked good in my "business casual attire" of capris,semi nice top, and my half sandal/shoe footwear...a little out of place for a walk in a canyon... not to mention camera in hand. So he looks me up and down and then as he starts to walk off.. looks over his shoulder he says "well if we ever needed a poster child for Crazy Woman Canyon, I think I found her" and on he went...I wanted to say something smart back... but I was in awe of all that had just happened...probably a good thing.



The road leading out of Crazy Woman Canyon...and the road home...

I thought a lot about coming home. What it has meant for me personally. I also thought about what Crazy Canyon Man said to me... maybe I could be the poster child for Crazy Woman Canyon...not a bad thing really. Life is really one long journey anyway right? and there will be some paths that cause us to dip down into canyons... canyons that will be filled with strangers that cause us to laugh and wonder and canyons that remind us a little bit more about who we really are and where we came from.
ENJOY your journey and try not to loose focus of what is important.

a lil girl's best friend...memories before goodbye

So Jaidyn and her little buddy Gadget (and Momma) spent some time together on a somewhat windy Saturday afternoon in Cheyenne to record some moments and memories as Gadget had been fighting a battle with cancer. It was very sweet to see the love affair between a little girl and her best friend.
We knew that it wouldn't be long before Gadget (lovingly called 'fat-head' by the Momma) wouldn't be around to take the 'walks' Jaidyn loved so much...we just didn't know it would be two very short weeks.

Rest in Peace- Gadget May 1998-April 23, 2010

Looks like Jaidyn is telling Gadget a story:"look Gadget I have it all figured out..."

It is LOVE!

"come on Gadget one last run!" says Jaidyn

In the end it is all about the journey "home"... like Gadget I hope I have a faithful friend....someone who loves me to lead the way... someone who will hold my hand and make it all okay...

Run and play Gadget...run and play!