Would you rather…have all the money you could ever want but live smack dab in the middle of the ugliest of ugly, or, have very little money but live in the most beautiful place in the world?

This week, we have been in our happy place at the base of a mountain in cool, dry air in the wildflower capital of Colorado. Last night, Sam struck up a conversation with the night supervisor at the front desk, and when he was asked how long he had been here, he said, “three years, full time.” He loves it, being a guy from Tennessee, but he said the housing was terrible. “My situation is ‘poverty with a beautiful view.'”

The week has been another chapter finished in this story we are writing. It is most likely our last venture to this part of the world, made possible thanks to Sam’s work relationships and one last invitation to take part in a work retreat as he is now retired from the co-op world. We have participated in this annual retreat seven times and over the years met some forever friends who have been by our side through some pretty dark times and some really good times, too. It was very bittersweet as we left The Lodge this morning.

I am grateful for a cousin who invited us to spend the night on our way to the base of the mountain. The time with Patricia and her husband was quality, and as we drove away on Sunday morning, Sam said, “THAT made our whole trip worth it, Rhonda.” And it was just the beginning of a great week.

I am grateful for a room big enough to hang out with friends in the evenings and just be together at the base of a mountain with a view sent from God.

I am grateful for the kindness of work acquaintances who made Sam feel like he was still a part of the group.

I am grateful for an afternoon in the backseat of an ATV.

I am grateful for happy dogs who get to go on vacation with their owners. Banana and Split would have loved going on vacation, I am certain.

I am grateful for flowers, flowers, and more flowers everywhere. I have always loved flowers, and there can never be enough of them.

I am grateful for a drive up to Kebler Pass to see what we could see on a cloudy, cool, and sometimes rainy afternoon. The flowers were still flowering, the wildlife was on display, the cell reception was null and void, and the company sitting next to me was my favorite.

I am grateful for a sunroof that opened all the way so I could stand on the seat and take all the pictures I wanted of Bullwinkle.

I am grateful for wonderful meals the entire week – pizza in the middle of a mountain rain, pizza in the room with friends, fresh fruit every morning, a sandwich at the end of the 10 mile trek up the mountain, and retreat meals that were good enough to pile the food high on my plate.

I am grateful for a few pennies found this week on random streets, reminding me that “In GOD, we trust.”

I am grateful that Sam took care of our shoes last night and got all the mud off them, and I am grateful that he loaded the pickup this morning while I got ready.

I am grateful for an hour today in Woodland Park on our way home, to sit at a picnic table at a barbecue restaurant, participate on a work Zoom call, and eat a really good smoked chicken sandwich.

I am grateful for a washer and dryer in the room, so that when we get back home tonight, I can unpack clean clothes.

I am grateful for my own bed, especially now that it is a really nice bed. It sure does make sleeping away from home a lot harder.

And I am grateful for beautiful views that don’t cost a thing except the time it takes to notice them.