Today is a good day! I feel as if I can go on. I feel hopeful and trusting that I can find joy again. I am feeling close to God, more than I ever have before. This life journey is epic indeed and I thank you Jesus for your compassion and your passionate love for me. I am seeing with new eyes and a new heart. You are freeing me from the chains of this world and the confines and limits of mankind’s wisdom. I am becoming who you created me to be.
The trip to Mt Leconte was a memorable time that I will never forget. Everything about the trip was amazing: our drive down and back, our accommodations, our hike, the weather, the hawks, the music, the presence of God and the closeness to Christy!
Hawks were soaring!
The drive down and back was filled with beauty as we saw hawks soaring everywhere. Christy loved to spot hawks as we drove around. We would mostly see them sitting in trees or should I say, Christy would see them as I would usually miss them. Call me crazy, but I know this was a sign from my girl that she was watching!
The day of the hike started early at IHOP (Christy loved to eat at IHOP on vacation) to fill up with some needed calories and a bit of caffeine for the long hike. We reached the trail head around 8:45, prayed and headed out! 
The weather was clear and cool with morning temps around 38 degrees. The hike was just full of so much beauty with something around every corner. The trail begins in the forest and offers a good warm-up opportunity before beginning to climb. We found out along the way that it was Seneca’s 30th birthday! We sang happy birthday to him on the trail. There were several log bridges, steps, rocks, roots and cables to hold on the way up. Paige’s legs broke out in hives, but that didn’t stop her. I am so proud of my girls for toughing it out and pushing through the pain. They really inspired me and shined with a beautiful light of love! I am one blessed Daddy!
Blessed Daddy!
Finally reaching the lodge was welcoming as we saw a couple of deer and restrooms! Now, we just had .2 miles to go to get to the Cliff Tops. Another rocky, uphill climb, but what a spectacular scene at the top! The sky was so clear that day, unusually clear as noted by a couple of local hikers. We could see for miles and miles! Everyone made it!
Fulfilling this wish for Christy was difficult, yet I felt so honored, so close to her on this perfect day, Mother’s Day! As we all took part in spreading Christy’s ashes here in this beautiful place that God created, all felt right, all felt complete. I knew that my heart would continue to hurt, yet I experienced healing in these mountains through the love shown and felt and I know I will be OK. 
Thank you Lord for our time with Christy!