Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Coming down from the mountain

I live among the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Awaking to their majesty each morning never grows old.

One thing I’ve learned after years of climbing the hallowed peaks is that you have to be careful on your decent. You have to be sure of your footing. Dangers await those who, after glorying at the pinnacle, don’t choose a wise path downward.

I’ve been on a mountaintop of sorts…a writer’s conference…Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers' Conference. Writers gather there each year to hone their craft, pitch to editors, and find agents and fellowship with like-minded folks. Writing, because of its nature, can be a solitary endeavor. The conference affords time of fellowship with those who share our love and fascination of words. We gather on the mountain and eat meals while discussing writing between bites, we relax in the hotel lobbies while sharing our newest projects and we walk to classes with others, talking about what we hope to glean from the next presenter. We come out of our writing dens and share our passion for the written word.

The last night of the conference we gather at an awards banquet to recognize achievement in different genres. We accept awards amidst cheers and camera flashes, capturing the joy of our hard work touching the hearts and souls of others.

Then we pack our suitcases and computer bags. 


We say goodbye to friends and instructors and head home…down the mountain.

The wise ones will chart a path…remembering where the snags are, where the pits are and remembering the One we will write about on flat ground.

The wise ones won’t envy those who acquired their dream agent, who delivered the perfect pitch to an acquisitions agent, or who won the award we imagined bore our name.

The wise ones will give thanks for the invaluable instruction, for the connections made, for the worship shared and for the experience that was...the mountain.

10 comments:

  1. Beautifully written, Dee Dee. Love your writing, sister.

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    1. Cynthia, thank you. BR was so special this time. Now, time to get to work! It was so nice seeing you for the Selah awards.

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  2. This is wonderful DeeDee and so true. What a wise woman you are and I'm glad I can call you friend! Looking forward to going back up the mountain with you next year!

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    1. Can't wait for next year. You were so missed! So happy and thankful Greg is better.

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  3. The wise ones also come home with three awards. :) Congrats again, Dee Dee! Well deserved.

    Even though we find our way back down the mountain after the conference, I always leave a little bit of my heart there.

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    1. Thanks so much, Cathy. I think those little bits of our hearts were left on the path to Clouds. :)

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  4. I'm glad to count you as one of my friends Dee Dee. And thrilled to celebrate with you for your wins! Especially Little Piney....

    Now let's get to work! :)

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    1. Thank you, Mary. Thank you for all your hard work at BR this year. Praying for your tooth pain to be over soon. I am on Little Piney today! :)

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  5. Wisdom undoubtedly follows you Dee Dee. Look forward to seeing the fruit of your labors gleaned on mountaintops and wrought in valleys.

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    1. Marcia, thank you so much for finding my little blog. I am willing to share life lessons learned and to joyfully share my love of the Lord. I enjoy your blog and beautiful writing.

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Blessings, Dee Dee