The Glory of Grandfather

There is a special place where I’m always overcome with peace. Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina is a magical place called Grandfather Mountain. I was introduced to it and it’s wonderful owner, yes a mountain owned by a man, Hugh Morton, many years ago by my dear, dear friend Don Nelson. Hugh has gone on to be with the Lord, but I feel his presence every time I go to “the” mountain. Grandfather has been the place of many wonderful adventures and memories, not the least of which are the countless photography programs where I’ve been honored to speak and share.

Sharing at Grandfather is like no other place. Surrounded my many friends and long time associates, you can just relax and be yourself. Now I’m always myself, I’ve never figured out how, or why I would want to be anybody else, but these special people make it easy to do.

Spending time on the
mountain is always
a pleasure but getting
to do it with 175
friends is even better.
This weekend I shared
some photography
lessons. Sunday
morning I shared
some life lessons.

The title of the Sunday
program was Sharing
your adventures
through AV programs

Because I do a great deal of presenting on behalf of Nikon, I have a wide variety of AV shows that I share. Most are for sheer entertainment, but some have good “life lessons.” As an example, in the show called, And So It Goes, the song by that name is sung by the late John Denver and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band from their wonderful album, Shall The Circle Be Unbroken II.

A mansion on a hill is a lovely sight to see,
but like any other house, it’s only temporary.
Home is anywhere you choose to put your heart,
if there’s no love inside, it will soon fall apart.

Another show is the story of a young lady who remembers her coal miner father and the tough life he lived providing for her and her family. The wonderful song brings to light the most important gifts we give to others. The song is called Coal Dust Kisses,

Covered up from head to foot from all the dust and soot,
that’s how he came home from work everyday.
He worked hard in the mines, as a child I thought it was a crime,
for man to have to work that way.
But every night before he fell asleep,
He never failed to leave, Coal dust kisses, on my cheek.

Yet another haunting song tells the story of a soldier that gave all, and in the end, made it all the way to Arlington.

I never thought that this is where I’d settle down,
I thought I’d die and old man back in my home town.
They gave me this plot of land, me and some other men,
for a job well done.

And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property,
I’m on sacred ground and I’m in the best of company,
I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done,
I can rest in peace, I’m one of the chosen ones,
I made it to Arlington.

I shared some other things too, some light and fun, some serious like these. We shared some common understanding that life is not only a joy, but also filled with tough times and sadness too. In the end the message was that God loves us and he never lets us go through anything that he will not bring good from, if we love Him, and are called to His purposes.

It’s a privilege to share with such good people, to spend time on that incredible mountain, and
serve such an awesome God……..

the pilgrim

* Photo notes: Nikon D700 and 24-70 AFS f 2.8 lens. Fog courtesy of Grandfather Mountain.