Some People Walk A Path Strewn With Rose Petals

...but we sail a sea of diamonds. I'm remembering an old country song that includes "I'm just a country boy/Money have I none/But I've got silver in the stars/Gold in the morning sun."

The late autumn trees were dull russets and pine green, the cool dry air was bright and clear. The winds were stronger than the lazy hazy summertime, and the sun flung handfuls of diamonds off our starboard bow. I remember how sad I felt, about 20 years ago, working in a windowless office in a building in Colorado. I realized that for all the rest of my youth, I would spend my days that way, away from the rhythm of the seasons, not to see the shifting light as the days passed, when I longed to be hiking in the mountains or canoeing on the rivers. Now, finally, no longer needing to work. I have that freedom, we have most of all the gift of TIME, and feel truly wealthy.