New Podcast: Driving Trail Ridge Road and What It Taught Me About the Grieving Journey

What do a dizzying mountain road and the journey through grief have in common? In this episode, Ray shares a harrowing drive across Trail Ridge Road—the highest continuous paved road in North America—and how the experience mirrors the unpredictable, breath-stealing terrain of grief. With wit, heart, and the poetic strength of Edgar Albert Guest’s See It Through, you’ll be reminded that no matter how treacherous the climb, healing is not only possible—it’s inevitable. Pull over, take a breath, and get ready to feel seen. This is the episode your heart didn’t know it needed.

🔑 5 Salient Points:

  • Grief can feel like altitude sickness—sudden, disorienting, and difficult to breathe through, much like the thin air on Trail Ridge Road.
  • Rest areas matter—just like scenic pullouts on a steep drive, we need emotional space to pause, reflect, and regain our balance.
  • Lack of guardrails = emotional risk—there are moments in grief when we feel vulnerable and unsupported, yet we keep moving forward.
  • Perspective is healing—stepping back to see the “view” of our grief journey helps us realize how far we’ve come.
  • Grief is survivable—like cresting a mountain summit, there comes a day when you can look back and say with quiet strength, “I made it.”

I Am Not Alone ~ A Poem by Gabriela Mistral

I Am No Alone

Gabriela Mistral

The night, it is deserted
from the mountains to the sea.
But I, the one who rocks you,
I am not alone!

The sky, it is deserted
for the moon falls to the sea.
But I, the one who holds you,
I am not alone !

The world, it is deserted.
All flesh is sad you see.
But I, the one who hugs you,
I am not alone!

Source

Journey’s End, a Poem by J. R. R. Tolkien

Journey’s End by J. R. R. Tolkien

In western lands beneath the Sun
The flowers may rise in Spring,
The trees may bud, the waters run,
The merry finches sing.
Or there maybe ’tis cloudless night,
And swaying branches bear
The Elven-stars as jewels white
Amid their branching hair.

Though here at journey’s end I lie
In darkness buried deep,
Beyond all towers strong and high,
Beyond all mountains steep,
Above all shadows rides the Sun
And Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
Nor bid the Stars farewell.

Move Mountains ~ Be Inspired by Isaac Stern’s Quote

When you believe in something, you can move mountains.

Isaac Stern

Photo for Today ~ Start Climbing

Inspiring Quote for Today ~ Live the Adventurous Life

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.

May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.”

Something to Think About

It’s a poor bet to delay going after our dream. No one knows how long their life will be. When we decide to wait, we’re betting that whenever we set out to chase the dream, everything will be set and the timing will be perfect. One thing we can count on, there will never be a perfect time to chase the dream. There will always be mountains in our way. The sooner we set out to climb our mountains, the sooner we’ll realize our mountains are not so tall, and we’re well on our way to our dream. Don’t deny yourself the chance to go for your dream by delaying your decision. Now is the time. Where you are at is the place. It’s the perfect time to start.

Today’s Inspiration ~ Reawaken the Dreamer in You

“As a youngster I was a great dreamer, reading many books of adventure and walking lonely miles with my head in the clouds.”

~ Edmund Hillary

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