The strong westerly breezes through the mountains had kept the temperature pleasant for most of the day, and as evening came both the wind and the high temperatures diminished. We sat with a small group of women, most of whom I’d known for years, and the conversation moved from politics, to history, to social networking. Nicole seemed quiet but attentive, and I was perfectly content to sit with her and share our connectedness.
Just before dinner, Nicole asked if we could take a walk. We followed a path between the two pastures to a small grove of trees near the rear of the property. Verdant green underbrush and bushes provided a screen of stillness, with sounds of distant crickets and an occasional dove calling her mate. We found ourselves alone in a natural chapel.
“Thank you so much fo
