Hello all!
The sun is out, and the sky is the shade of deep blue it can only be in the middle of winter after a storm. The snow is left in traces, outlined in the shadows of the trees and buildings. The cold has made its way into my office, as it was closed up with the heat down for several days. My heater is struggling to warm the concrete slab that is chilling my toes. I sit here, looking at the pile of paper on my desk and the inbox I have managed to pare down over the past two hours, and I am grateful.
I am grateful for this place, for my family who bring me so much joy, and for the amazing people I work with. Life catches me up in itself, and its strong current makes me focus on the routines, rather than those things which are most important. The deadlines and responsibilties shout for my attention, and the small things of greater value sit quietly, waiting for me to notice. So I sit here, at my desk, and ignore the stacks of paper for a few minutes to think on these things.
I am grateful for my family. That I am able to work with my husband, and always still be able to sit with him at dinner and enjoy his company, even after the more stress filled workdays. I am grateful that we can understand that our ideas and approach will not be the same most of the time, but that we can also see the value in those differences.
I am grateful for our daughters, who fill my heart. I am grateful that they can spend their summers here at the dude ranch on horseback, in the pool, and meeting people from around the world. That they can form friendships with children from other places, with other ideas and backgrounds, and look forward to their return with much anticipation. I am grateful for how they have accepted this life, which they did not choose, but rather were born into. That they undrestand that they must extend themselves to our guests as hostesses here. That even those children who visit that they may not get along with, they must treat with respect. And I am grateful to them for the love I have known because of them.
I am grateful for the people I work with, and how enjoyable they make my days at the ranch. For Tricia, who always remains forward looking; seeking solutions, rather that getting caught up in how things have been done. For her desire to always make things better and to always believe and trust that the way to do so is right there in front of us.
To Heather for her unending joyfulness. For her love for all of us and her passion for this place. To Steven for his unruffled ability to make things happen, and his desire to make everyone around him calm and happy. For his compassion for people and his passion for food well prepared.
For Jamie for his ability to fix almost anything, and to anticipate what will need to be fixed. For his madding habit of playing devils advocate and forcing us to look at juxtaposed ideas. I am grateful for Charlie for his belief that the cleanliness of our buildings is central to our success. For his quirky non sequitur conversations and random thoughts that seem to break me from my focus on routine.
I am grateful for Hud. Although he has moved too far away to work here, a part of him will always stay. I am grateful for the laughter he has brought, and for his visits whenever he comes back to Bend. I am grateful for the many amazing summer staff we have each year, many retuning for several summers. For the opportunity to watch them grow up working here, and knowing that a part of Rock Springs Ranch will live with them always.
I am grateful for this place, Rock Springs Guest Ranch. Its beauty that sometimes catches me off guard when I have become too caught up in that stream of daily life. For the way it touches the lives of those who have passed through here, employees and guests alike. This place which seems to have a spirit of its own, reaching onto our minds and hearts and making us its own, belonging to it, our roles reversed. For the way it speaks to my soul.
I am grateful for you, our guests. I assume that most of those who would take the time to read this blog are those whose lives have been touched by this place and the people who belong to it. I am grateful for those of you who have shared your family experiences with us, many of you for several years. A part of you stays with us, a memory of this place, as a part of this place will live with you. Even those who have not returned in many years leave echos of their experiences here, joining in the captivating siren's song which sings to my heart.
