I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?
No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, earth, and mountains. Psalm 121:1-2 The Message
I had no idea how beautiful Aspen was in September until we begin our descent. As the plane circles the mountains, I am awestruck by the golden hues of the Aspen trees. Chuck and I are attending his great niece’s wedding. We would soon fall in love with Aspen.
Picture the beginning of a Hallmark Movie. The scenery takes your breath away. It’s as if God took his paintbrush and slathered splashes of golden yellow over the mountainside. You pull up to the oldest hotel in Aspen. You are greeted by young men in full, handsome cowboy attire. “Welcome to Aspen!”
For three days, we explore Aspen amidst all the wedding festivities. Even the bride and groom have a Hallmark story. A chance meeting at a winery in California. He’s from Houston. She’s from Denver. Both had prayed for a spouse who would love them well, as had their parents. Let’s just say their prayers were answered over and above what they had prayed for.
Fast forward a few years …
The wedding … oh, my goodness, the wedding! Outside, surrounded by the beauty of nature, stringed instruments play the prelude. Connor and Laura exchange the vows they have written, all the while, guests wipe tears that leak from their eyes. Love is evident to all who sit there in the courtyard of Hotel Jerome. Love at 8,000 feet takes your breath away.
On Sunday afternoon, with the sky a perfect shade of blue, I decide to take a walk through the John Denver Sanctuary to refresh my weary soul. Chuck would stay in our oh-so-comfy room and watch the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament to refresh his soul.
Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard
They say when the world gets loud and chaotic, you need to take a walk and visit God’s creation. And as my mother would say, “Having a little talk with Jesus will make you feel better.” The world and all its chaos had overwhelmed my soul. For three days, I look to the mountains.
As I enter the Sanctuary, there is a sign painted on the sidewalk that says, SLOW. It is meant for those riding bicycles, but the words speak to my heart. “Janet, you need to slow down and look for me as you walk this trail.”
Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard
The water rambles over the stones in the shallow waters. The Aspens rustle and their leaves gently spill from the branches and float to the ground. The spirit of nature is captured, and its beauty is declared. My heart hears God’s voice, and my soul rests. The beauty of autumn in Aspen declares who God is as it displays His creation and all of its glory.
As I walk along the trail, I hear John Denver singing, “Rocky Mountain High.” Then I hear, “How Great Thou Art.”
Oh, Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder … Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made.
As I hear the song in my mind, it sounds a lot like Carrie Underwood.
The crisp air of September in Aspen is like a hug to my entire being. God knows I need to be reminded to take it slow, not just in Aspen but during this time when it seems the world is in such an exhausting shouting and shoving match.
Aspen inspires me to write. I brought along my journal to sit and express my feelings as I gather my thoughts. A soul well-attended to has much to say. God’s paintbrush seems to shush the chaotic voices in my head.
There on a bench in that sanctuary, I bow my head in humble adoration and proclaim, my God, how great thou art.
I return to the Jerome Hotel and find Chuck with his soul a bit frazzled. It seems the Americans and Europeans are not on friendly golf terms. We decide a nice dinner will soothe Chuck’s nerves and fill my hungry belly. We laugh when we get the bill, and I whisper to Chuck that the hamburger we ordered costs more than my dress for the wedding. $38 vs. $30.
Who knew that a wedding in Aspen would bring so much joy to my heart and soul? Aspen in September, you were just what I needed. I will forever remember the mountains painted with golden-hued trees and a gondola ride to the top of Aspen Mountain, where, at 11,000 feet above sea level, it gave new meaning to Rocky Mountain High.
Janet enjoys (and Chuck endures) a Hallmark moment in Aspen, Colo. (Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard)
A Hallmark kind of love doesn’t just happen in the movies. God wrote an amazing love story for Connor and Laura. They were the stars in Aspen, but we sure enjoyed being supporting actors.
Looking to the mountains reminded my soul where my strength comes from. Thank you, Aspen, for the reminder. I did leave a piece of my heart in Aspen. I hope to return someday. I’m sure the mountains will again inspire me with words to write. Who doesn’t love a good sequel?
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.