If the river can bend

Part three

My favorite hydrangea bush on our deck.

This is part three of my series If the River Can Bend. If you missed parts one or two, you can find them here and here. Thanks in advance for all the lovely comments and hearts I've received. The support of my readers is what makes writing meaningful. Also, I may have confused a few readers that had not read prior essays about Julie. I have edited Part two with a link to a prior post about Julie. And a big thanks to Elton John for serenading me throughout this series and providing the title. His lyrics are in the centered quotes.

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Part three picks up four years after I met Lisa for the first time. The four of us have slowly built a friendship in the ensuing years. Lisa and Paul visited for a weekend a few years back, and sometime after that, we met for a hike and dinner in the Bay Area. When I got to know Lisa, I learned she was a transcriber/proofreader. She agreed to proofread my Lessons of a Wayward Yogini manuscript. 

Plans were on the calendar for their second visit to Cool last summer. As the weddings approached, I found it necessary to postpone their arrival, as I had too much on my plate. I came up for air at the end of the year when we scheduled another date on the calendar for a March hike in the foothills.

We anticipated their visit, planned something tasty to make for dinner on the day they arrived, and selected Hidden Falls in Auburn for our hike the following day. 

Build a new beginning on an old rock
Breathe deep of the sweet fresh air

It was raining when Paul and Lisa arrived. We had a fire burning and settled in to catch up on life for a few hours. Mid-afternoon, we decided to play a game of Scrabble. My close friends know how much I love a good Scrabble game. They also know how competitive I am, but I can lose with the best of them. A loss just makes me want to play another game. 

Paul warned me that Lisa was a fierce competitor. I knew her abilities; she did a fantastic job proofreading my manuscript. I welcomed the challenge and made my way to set up the game. We spent the next few hours laughing and enjoying ourselves. Dear reader, she kicked my butt in no uncertain terms, which of course, left me needing a rematch.

Alas, it was time for dinner, and we wanted to play Mexican Train afterward, so any chance to redeem myself would need to wait for a future visit. Joking aside, we had such a great time playing games.

We headed to Hidden Falls, a truly magical place, the following day. The hike is moderate, with slight elevation changes, and takes approximately 45 minutes in each direction. Since I was the only one who had been to the Falls, I was very excited for the three of them to experience the beauty all along the trail, especially at the waterfall’s edge. 

The walk was delightful. The hike demonstrated the ease of good friends. The conversation felt like a waltz as we shifted from partner to partner during the walk without losing step or time.

Our discussions quieted as we took in the beauty arriving at the falls. We stood at the rails, sat on the bench, took pictures, and commented quietly as other people were also on the deck.

Seated on the bench, I became mesmerized watching the river snake through the brush and trees above, moving toward the ledge where it would begin to spill over the rocks. 

The river making its way to the falls.

The vision served as a reminder of the journey we all embrace in life… being swept from one place or experience to the next, the circumstances of the terrain often determining our route and, at times, sending us over an unexpected ledge into a new pool.

The four of us gathered at this sacred location was a testament to that reality.

All the twists and turns
We've made together
All the boats you rocked
With your harmony

A few minutes later, standing at the rail again, I noticed something unexpected on the rocks at the bottom of the falls… two white hydrangeas. It's a toss-up about which flower I love more, a sunflower or a white hydrangea. Obviously, someone had offered the flowers to the river earlier that morning, perhaps for a wedding ceremony or the remembrance of a loved one.

Hello sweet white hydrangeas in a tiny pool on the left side of the falls!

Had the universe used that serendipitous occurrence to bring me a message from Carrie?

Dear Sue, Lisa is lovely, and you were right, she has become a beautiful friend to you. I'll always be with you in your thoughts and dreams, sharing something we might giggle about. I sent you a few white hydrangeas since I know how much you love them. Until we meet again, be well and take care, my friend. 

I sure feel there's something out there
There's a great awakening and a new morning
And your spirit's pounding loud and clear

Paul and Lisa treated us to a fabulous sushi lunch after the hike and left shortly after we arrived home. I was sorry to see them go.

Lisa's email a few days later ended with the words, "Looking forward to playing WWF2 with you! Let's get together sooner than later."

I couldn't agree more, Lisa. Sooner rather than later. And I’m looking forward to another Scrabble game!

If the river can bend
I'll find you waiting
Home at last from the wild sea