Chapter 1- Part 3 - The Luminous Lane

Our pace slowed to that of a casual walk and the details of my surroundings became evident. We were now walking side by side down a meticulously manicured lane. The lane meandered ahead and was lined by the most stunning trees. They had ancient, gnarled, crooked trunks that supported the most spectacular canopy of peach blossoms I have ever seen. They were similar to the blossoms of a peach tree but it was if each blossom was illuminated and the entire lane seemed to glow this delicate pink hue -even the blossoms that had fallen to the ground and covered the lane itself. Everything seemed to emit its own light and energy and everything glowed. It was absolutely amazing and again I cannot describe in words the shear and utter perfection of these trees. The smell was so sweet and pleasing and seemed to beckon one to continue up the lane. I felt so comfortable and graceful as we quietly sauntered further up the now winding lane. The trees were evenly spaced on each side of the lane for as far as one could see. I noticed that around the base of each of these trees was a ring of burgundy and white flowers. They reminded me of petunias and the simplicity of the landscape made it even more elaborate. The lawn that ran along each side of the lane was the most exquisite emerald green and it, like the blossoms above, seemed to generate its own luminescent glow. The entire landscape seemed to be glowing. Mind you now, it was complete daylight outside and the sky was crystal clear and blue, but everything was casting additional light and illumination. We stopped and stepped up onto the slate curb and across the lane’s lawn to the walk. It was made of 3 foot by 3 foot granite slabs that were almost seamlessly placed alongside each other. We walked a short distance on the sidewalk and then stopped at an old ornate park bench. The Spirit gracefully sat down and I felt quietly compelled to do the same. From this vantage point I could see down the hill we had just traversed and across the wide valley below. We had come a great distance in just a matter of moments, yet I had felt completely unrushed. We had come so far and the site of that amazing lane snaking its way down through the foothills, lined by what had to be thousands of pink blooming trees made my heart sing with praise and joy. The thought came very clearly to my consciousness, “Thank you God, for bringing me to this place.” The Spirit that was guiding me stood up and patted me on the back and without saying anything motioned for me to follow, and I did.

We walked a short distance and came to the crest of the hill. Now I could see what seemed to be forever in all directions. Back toward where we had come from I could see the now dim lights of the city we had left, now just a faintly sparkling gem dulled in comparison to the illumination of the brilliant landscape I was standing in. But looking in the opposite direction of the city was a spectacular valley, full of trees, meadows, lakes, and streams. A question was posed here by the Spirit. This is again something I find almost impossible to explain as the Spirit never actually audibly said anything but I almost seemed to feel its thoughts and know its desires. The question was which way I wished to continue. Back toward the city or forward into the beautiful valley. My answer came quickly and we proceeded forward into the brilliance of the beautiful forest valley away from the dull city.