A geological treasure chest was next on the docket. We left Albuquerque and were now headed for Grand Canyon when out of the blue Ber suggests the Petrified Forest National Park. Knowing I can’t control any aspect of this trip I happily oblige and pull off Interstate 40 near the town of Holbrook. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how cool it all was and was even more excited about the books I purchased.
Before touring the park we cruised around the little museum and gift shop. I purchased some books in relation to Astronomy. I brought home Practical Astronomer, Sharing The Skies, Navajo Astronomy and I even purchased a little glow in the dark book on the constellations, A Field Guide For Youngster Stargazers. I have no idea exactly when I’ll be able to use the little glow in the dark book but I’m excited about it. Who am I kidding, they’ve got me starting from scratch like most of the collective so that youngster book is for me. I’m sure I’ll have grandkids someday too.
Petrified wood is super pretty with all its amber color.
I’ve never really given it much thought to be honest and had no idea how it even formed. They may have taught us but I must’ve been absent that day in school. There was a park ranger in the museum so naturally I had to pick his brain. He gave me the short version which was something along the lines of many moons ago there was volcanic activity which in turn tore down trees and the process of petrification occurs when trees get buried under the lava and sediment preserving it while minerals replace most, if not all, it’s organic material turning it into a fossil. And I’ll add making it shiny and pretty.
We drove through the painted forest which was super cool. The pictures never really do it justice on the beauty of it all. I’m very grateful I had the opportunity to see it first hand and wouldn’t mind returning. It wasn’t until I’m now home and writing this article that I look up the meaning of petrified wood and like everything else it too has a spiritual connotation.
Hahaha, well now it all makes sense, better late than never, right? That’s awesome because in a way I feel as though I’m still undergoing uncomfortable feelings and let’s be real we will always be undergoing uncomfortable changes on some level. But it’s those changes that are getting me to that sweet spot of where I really wanna be. Change is usually uncomfortable, nobody likes change. Believe it or not, I don’t mind it. I actually embrace it, perhaps it’s a learned behavior that comes with a journey riddled with tower moments. If there’s anybody who can attest to going through some rough patches in order to make change but coming out on the other end in a much better place, it is me.
At one point my girlfriend Ber wanted to go off the beaten path to leave behind some of her dad’s ashes but I don’t think that’s legal so we didn’t do that. Nothing says uncomfortable change like the loss of a loved one. In fact, many times, if not most of the time, they are a catalyst for change. That spectrum of change can range from having very little affect to the initiation of a spiritual awakening. Whether you pay attention enough to see the signs or even follow that path is up to you but it’s always available.
Someone recently asked me how long it took me to get over the grief of losing my mom. While that can’t possibly be measured because it’s different for everybody I told her about a year which wasn’t true at all. Because my mom was the catalyst for my spiritual awakening I didn’t grieve for very long. The very next day I started receiving signs she was still with me, I still get signs to this day. I’ll go so far as to say the day after my mom transitioned was also my very first knowing. I even said it to my neighbor, I said I don’t know how I know but my mom’s death has something to do with me. I had no idea I was about to embark on a journey discovering truth bombs, help wake up and heal humanity, but I knew something was up. It’s 2:22pm.
I didn’t share all this with the person because they aren’t in a place where they would receive any of my personal truths so sometimes I just keep it simple. If people really knew the truth about death they wouldn’t hold onto grief as long as they do. I get it though, for people who think this is it, once we’re gone we’re gone, I can understand why they stay grief stricken for so long.
I still have moments when it comes to my mom and my brother but I know they’re still here and it’s not forever it’s just for now so I will see them again. Once you can accept that and know deep in your heart that it’s true, you don’t feel the need to stay in the vibration of sadness. We shouldn’t hold onto death either and by that I mean we needn’t go around telling every person we see or meet that someone we loved passed away. It keeps you stuck and makes it almost impossible to move forward. It may sound callous and that’s not me at all but you have to let go, of the physical anyway.
Practicing the art of letting go is another one of those easier said than done things which ranks right up there with those lovely cliches I like to talk about, they all hold profound truth. I chuckle inside now when I hear people say they’ll sleep when they’re dead. No you won’t.
Love and Light