WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE

AUTUMN LEAVES OF MY JOURNEY, EACH LEAF REPRESENTS A MEMORY, FRIENDSHIP, INSIGHT OR A MIRACLE

Green River Lakes is one of Wyoming's most scenic and popular fall scenic drives accessible by car. Located in the Bridger Wilderness of the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the lakes are 52 miles north of Pinedale in the northern Wind River Range. The lakes are considered the source of the Green River, a major tributary of the great Colorado River system. Like many of the larger lakes on this side of the Winds, Green River Lakes were scoured out by glacial action, and then sealed off by an end-moraine dam.

As a young girl I would go and visit some cousins who lived along the Green River in Wyoming.  I would often go out early and walk down to a bridge where the green river flowed. It always fascinated me to watch the water floating by….ripples seemed almost hypnotic.  At times there would be logs, branches, or other debris as it floated under the bridge.   I would sometimes stand as long as an hour watching the river passing by, never feeling bored.  I never gave much thought as to where the river started or where it went and what happened to it after it left that bridge; I only lived in the moment and enjoyed it. On 4^th of July Holidays, we sometimes went as a family to visit my aunt and uncle to enjoy a picnic there on the recreational side of the Green River. It was fun to play along the river bank and walk among the trees and bushes that lined the river. Those days were relaxing, carefree and enjoyable.

Later I learned that the river ran through Utah and connected to the great Colorado River. It is this river that formed the Grand Canyon and continues to do so for eons of years. .  It is considered one of the 7 wonders of the natural world.

  The great Hoover dam was erected along the Colorado in Nevada. It is an awesome dam erected to supply water and electricity to farms, towns and cities throughout many states.   It is a source of life to millions.

Going forward to the late 80’s and 90’s my mom and step father owned an expedition business that rafted the Colorado and Green Rivers and many other rivers in the West.  They floated these rivers in a 12 man raft offering a spectacular view of the surrounding landscapes plus wonderful food and camping. The Colorado River offers a multitude of endless sights and wonders to those who are adventures and loves nature at it rawest and best.  

We too have the capability to be the best of our own creation, just as the little stream at the mouth of the Green River where it began its journey became something greater than itself, providing a multitude of spectacular beauty and a lifeline to many millions.  We also have a few challenges to become that awesome divine being that we were created for.  When I was in the 1^st grade, we brought our dimes to school and placed them in a card provided to us by the teacher for the 2^nd world war effort; at that moment we were making a contribution to something greater than ourselves, without realizing it we had started to become patriotic  and loving our country. To this day I feel chills when I see our flag or celebrate a memorial service. When our young men and women join the military and find themselves fighting for our country to keep us all free and safe, they are performing a service much greater than themselves, and it is awesome, we weep when we see them broken and bruised they become our heroes. Anytime we decide to volunteer or help with an organization without any thought of momentary pay, we become a step closer becoming something greater than ourselves.  Also true is helping a neighbor or a helpless family who needs a hand up. Any service we may perform to a religious organization, our reward is the peace and growth that comes to us performing something greater than ourselves.  With the sacrifice comes the blessing.

This is a song I learned at an early age and never forgot it. It goes as this:

1. "Give," said the little stream,

"Give, oh! give, give, oh! give."

"Give," said the little stream,

As it hurried down the hill;

"I'm small, I know, but wherever I go

The fields grow greener still."

1.           Singing, singing all the day,

"Give away, oh! give away."

Singing, singing all the day,

"Give, oh! give away."

2.           2. "Give," said the little rain,

"Give, oh! give, give, oh! give."

"Give," said the little rain,

As it fell upon the flow'rs;

"I'll raise their drooping heads again,"

As it fell upon the flow'rs.

3.           3. Give, then, as Jesus gives,

Give, oh! give, give, oh! give.

Give, then, as Jesus gives;

There is something all can give.

Do as the streams and blossoms do:

For God and others live.