Cliff Notes

Their giggles were contagious. I quickly realized I was grinning in pure delight as I watched them at the cliffside overlook. To the ear, they were a couple of wide-eyed teenage girls sharing a funny inside joke, laughing at themselves while trying to take a selfie.

“Oh, look at my expression! What on earth am I doing with my eyebrows? Well, that picture is definitely going to be hidden in a drawer! I’ll find it someday down the road and have a good laugh!”

But to the eyes, it was a different story. Standing before me were two seasoned ladies with wrinkles around their once wide eyes. I’d soon learn they were sisters. And best friends. I’m pretty sure the order of those titles made little difference. And I could have watched their Lucy and Ethel routine all day. It was almost as mesmerizing as the view of the New River Gorge below. 

This dynamic duo was traveling with their husbands, the two retired coal miners my husband was chatting with. And after I offered to take a photo for the ladies, to which they enthusiastically accepted, we learned a thing or two from this foursome. 

Sure, we learned about the majestic national park landscape and surrounding area from the West Virginia natives. But we also discovered a bit of the less obvious. Things that are felt more than seen. 

In that grand setting, we were reminded of the beauty in life’s simplicities. 

That siblings are like best friends. And best friends can become like brothers and sisters. 

That some things never grow old; like goofing off, playful teasing, and tear-triggering laughter.

That movement produces movement. Exploring new places and revisiting old spots help keep the joints greased, the lungs pumping, and the heart connected to loved ones.

That photos are more than a flat screen or piece of paper; they carry with them years of sensory-evoking multi-dimensional memories. 

That life can be hard and still so very good. 

That you never know who’s watching. There are those older trailblazers catching glimpses of themselves in the young, and the wide-eyed gleaning from those further traveled. 

“I’m so glad we met y’all today. I think God made that happen.” 

I couldn’t have agreed more with the kind man.

As we walked our separate ways - them to their vehicle, us to a trail - I thought about shouting back, “You ladies should frame that silly selfie!”

The truth is, along with all the display-worthy mountain top shots and pivotal dark valley scenes, I hope that I’m collecting a drawer full of those authentic, carefree, imperfectly simple moments that spread joy.

For beauty is found in all of it.

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