Just a little Mesa-Sunrise

After a lot of hurdles, I finally booked our flight to Goa to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. When I knew I was going for his birthday, I decided that I would make something special for his birthday - something I would create.  I knew I wanted to write since that is something I knew he would like.

I went on several runs, long runs, and short runs, but no words came to me. I did realize I wanted to write him a poem. He enjoys art, so I also decided to get him a nice painting. It was a week to go, and still no words. No painting/art I had liked! What was I going to do??? I knew the words would come but when? On the flight with a toddler ? No way, Jose!. 

I tried to clear the clutter - keep my brain empty. Is that even humanly possible ? I had no job to work on, so that was clear, I had a meeting with my graduate advisor, and I had made my to-do list for when I got back from the trip, and the last thing that was remaining to do - pack my bags. I packed more than a week before my trip, and this included Adhrit's diaper bag as well ! 

After getting Adhrit in bed, I decided to give the poem a shot, and the words just flowed, and believe it or not, the poem was written in less than 3 hours. I couldn't believe what just happened once I cleared the clutter. Should we do this in our life too ? Clear the clutter and the task at hand will just work out - definitely something to think about.

I still had the art/painting part of the gift missing. Karthik suggested that I go to Chataqua and take a picture myself. My dad loves the Flatiron mountains and so that became the theme for the picture. So, a day before my trip, at sunrise, I went with a camera, my running shoes to Chataqua trails. One of the trails is called the Mesa trail, and something about this trail just opens my heart, so I decided to run on this trail and get some shots. After the initial uphill, I got to the trail, and started taking pictures.I hadn't run on this trail in almost 2 years - its a trail you run only when you are fit, otherwise it definitely gets the better of you. The trail was fresh, and I could tell very few people had been on it. It just smelled fresh, and untethered. There are a few favorite spots - one of them is a 2 step bridge, with a little water below it and to the right, I don't know why I always imagine that there is a lion/tiger in a den. I thought of the same as I ran through that spot. I took a moment to enjoy that spot - very serene. I ran through and then the next favorite spot - you run up and you see the sun, and all you want to do is clasp your hands in a prayer and do a sun salutation. That spot is just breath taking, I spent a moment there. I ran through the meadows that followed, but I did not accomplish my mission. There was a part of the trail that would give me the best shots, but they had closed it down cause there were supposedly bats inhabiting it. I was sad when I got to that sign, but not upset or felt demoralized. I called Karthik, and he told me to go to the Chataqua trail and the right position to get the pictures. So, I got myself to run back and on this new trail. Something magical happened on the way back, I saw acorns fall from the tree right as I ran on this trail. I don't know why, but to me that was something I had never experienced. They smelled fresh, and definitely brought a big smile on my face.

I hurried back to the trail, and on my way back stopped by the Sun Spot as I call it, and my Tiger Spot, and to the Chataqua trail. I took around 200+ pictures, and finally narrowed down to three best pictures, to finally select the best among them. The 2nd picture is what I selected to print on the canvas.

The canvas print was ready at 4 pm - the evening before I was leaving, and my dad loved the print, as well as the poem.