The Bitterroot Valley, MT
Today I went on a hike with my grandmother, the real mother-figure in my life. The trail starts right outside of my grandparents property and opens up onto the Blodgett mountainside. Before reaching Forest Service land, we have to track through Dunbar's land, but this is no inconvenience because my grandpa has been good friends with the family, and they have no problem with us traveling through. It was almost 80 degrees today, and sunshine seemed to leak through my skin, bones, and melancholy mood, cheering me right up. Not to mention there were beautiful wildflowers everywhere. You couldn't take a step without seeing at least one. Lupin, Balsam Root, Trillium, Indian Paintbrush, and Clematis. When we got closer to the creek (the one that provides enough water for this section of the valley for irrigation) there is a meadow that opens up, and I happened across a dead butterfly; sad but still beautifulWith so much life present today, it seems almost unfair to happen upon something that has recently dropped out of the living world, but nature is always there to remind us about the cycle of life and death. "The life of a butterfly is so short"–my grandma. It makes me wonder if she is talking about the butterfly, or herself. Time is relative. The life of humans is short too. Which brings me to remark on how happy I am that I have finally taken a picture of her hands. It's not the best picture in the world, my shadow is in it which bothers me a little, but it is still poetic I think. I'm not sure exactly what the dead butterfly in her aged, but strong and healthy hands is supposed to represent but it seems significant to me.
Her hands remind me of my own. I often try to picture what I will look like when I am older, I never get a clear picture, but I know that my hands will look like hers. I think her hands are beautiful. Especially with her thick, golden marriage ring on her finger. I will be upset to leave them in a few days. It makes me want to spend more time in Hamilton after I graduate since it will be harder to come back after I have moved farther away. I always appreciate the time that I spend with them, more so now than ever.
