"GREEN RIVER STATE PARK, UTAH"
Our 2/503rd, 173rd "Chosen Few" Army Airborne, Combat Medic had suffered several back injuries in Afghanistan during his two deployments. Apparently they may have seemed small at the time, but was a deteriorating situation. He had a Permanent Change of Station to work in Madigan Army Hospital in Tacoma Washington, as the NCO for a group of surgeons, including a group of Neurosurgeons, when his time in Italy was up, after nearly five years. Finally a time for surgery arrived due to pain and physical incapacitation. It was successful, but the trip for his dad and I, from the Four Corners of New Mexico, was difficult and stressful on many levels.
On the trip back, we took a detour for a brief respite, in Green River Utah. We had no idea that we would find this gorgeous park in the middle of a small but beautiful town, or in the middle of our difficult, long trip home. Our bodies and minds were very weary-worn. Our little dog was in need of a walk as well. Dad and doggy-son took a walk, and mom...and camera took a walk beside the waters. The mind rest began for a couple of hours.
Fall colors were beginning amongst the Cottonwoods; large fluffy clouds lazily floated overhead, and two adventurers were trying their hand at new canoes. A soft, cool breeze was blowing, Seemingly, the water was lazy! I truly felt that I was standing beside the "
Still Waters" of Psalms 23, that were renewing and resting my soul. It seemed that this Southern Girls was not only living this Psalm, but perhaps also some moments with Samuel Clemens, beside the Mississippi, enjoying the reading of Psalms! I began to pray. It seems as I look back, that on that Sunday, the Beautiful State Park...named Green River, appropriately was a sanctuary for my body and mind as well as my soul. I breathed in the peacefulness of nature, captured it best I could with my Samsung, as I had left my battery charger to my FINEPIX HS 30 EXR in Tacoma. :'( It was long since dead, and I had never depended upon my Android before, for such scenery! It was a surprise. A memory maker. I kept thinking, "The city just had a huge party here yesterday, I wonder if anyone has a photo like this?"
As my photo-shoot respite came to an end, the sun was going down, I knew it was time to head toward New Mexico! However, I found my sweet husband - our exhausted soldier's dad, peacefully asleep on a picnic table seat, with our small doggy-son, asleep on top of him! I sat and watched the colors change in and amongst the Cottonwood trees, without snapping photos. I was at rest. Sometimes, the beauty is in capturing. Sometimes, the beauty is in resting...and watching the colors fade.
Our Soldier son...? He has just begun swimming in the second step of his therapy. He walks tall. Laughs, looks forward to the next steps in his life. His life will bloom. Now, you know why I like green! It is Christmas and we can't see him. However, photos transport us to each other. Green River to Green, colorful, lit Christmas trees, this Android will bring instant peace to our souls!
"GREEN RIVER STATE PARK" in Green River Utah.
Taken:
9/21/14, 17:48:20 MT. Time
ANDROID/CAMERA:
SAMSUNG SCH-1535
ANDROID VERSION 4.4.2
HARDWARE VERSION 1535:10
Special Program: Autodesk Pixlr
Camera's "Green Point" utilized.
ISO 80
3.7 mm
0.5 EV
f / 2.6
1/1432 s