Soul-deep. Life altering at every turn. Push. Pull. Teeth gritted.
The men are called to leave and join the Mormon Battalion.
The women stay.
United.
Hand in hand.
Heart to heart.
Voices sing, with heavy hearts: "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."
I, an observer through the eye of my camera - caught and captured glimpses that will forever remain etched within heart-soul.
Standing at the halfway point of the "Women's Pull" while capturing this touching trial -
I cheer at the top of my lungs:
"You're almost there!" "You're Strong!" "You're So Close!"
Women come back down the hill to help the remaining handcarts below.
United. Determined. Strong.
They pull as one. Crawling, digging, cheering, echoing in response to my voice:
"We're almost there!! Keep going! We're strong!"
I have pondered this experience daily ever since.
And my heart and mind have been filled with many thoughts, parallels and analogy's to life.
We - like these amazing pioneers in all culture's, times passed, as well as present
and those still to come - in all the world - have our own burdens to
carry, push, pull and move onward with.
I also consider, how many times I have been on hands and knees -
crawling with all might and energy, just to make it to the top as the echo from Him rings:
"You're almost there!" "Keep going!" "You're stronger than you think you are"
.... and ...
"I am here - to carry you - when you no longer can walk."
I know this to be true in my life.
That through, of and by Him - He will always be there for me ... for you ...
to help lighten our burdens in life as we see that rewarding moment of the hilltop and hear:
"You're almost there."
-Pioneer Trek-
Riley's Farm, CA
Amazing 3 days. Life altering. Will never forget.
{Photography by: Lisa May}
www.lisamay-photography.com
