“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” -Henry David Thoreau
Truthfully, I’ve no idea how to start this entry. I won’t make it long, because I don’t want to dilute the story with my ramblings; but, I hope it’s blessed with humility and reflective of our awe and gratitude. Besides… isn’t a picture worth a thousand words?
Months after the printing of our Faith t-shirt, when Colleen was in Chicago working with Bekah at Stylemax, Bekah asked Colleen… “Is Jo Dee Catholic?” Colleen said, “No, why?”… “Well, the Virgin Mary is in the design of that t-shirt…” And, sure enough, as a result of our collaborative efforts, Mary has appeared…
Our creative process begins in my hands and is passed to Colleen who then works to further process the art to best suit t-shirts, applying different affects to different layers of the art. I think Mary’s presence is a miracle… I like to think it’s a reflection that our desires to share a positive, uplifting vibe is pure and embedded in our hearts - and it’s now visable - it’s also embedded in our art.
Soon after Colleen shared the Mary story with me, I went to tell my parents. On a beautiful Texas afternoon, having lunch on the back patio with my parents, I told them about Mary appearing in our Faith t-shirt. And, my mom brought out a little box… she had a present for me and for Colleen already waiting… She had been shopping on Ebay… and she had purchased two charms for Colleen and I - charms of the Virgin Mary.
I don’t know why I’m so lucky… but I know the gratitude and awe is overflowing and constant. My cup truly and continually runneth over. Thank you, Jesus… for all the blessings you offer us in these subtly miraculous ways. I am humbly your servant. Thank you for using Cutting-Up for Your good and may it… may we… always be a blessing to many. Thank you for working through us! I LOVE You… and I LOVE MARY!!!!! Welcome, Mary!!!!
I believe I’m truly one of the lucky ones walking the earth. My life is full of beautiful people & my life experiences continue to dazzle me and expand my heart’s capacity to feel loved, moved, touched…blessed. I had the opportunity to visit some old friends in Colorado for a very quick weekend in Denver. Colorado is a haven for my spirit… and I’ve not been to this special place or seen these amazing people since 2003. During a few summers in college I had the great fortune to work as a hiking counselor for the most amazing camp on earth, Camp Cheley! 
Later in life, through a philinthropic Camp Cheley offers called Burn Camp (in conjunction with Cooks Children’s Hospital, Denver Fire Fighters & Camp Cheley, I found myself for four years of my adult life able to return for ten perfect days each August from 2000-2003, to build upon my “Cheley experiences”. The opportunities to work for shorter periods of time filled me with the spirit of giving, elevated me to be a better person in the world, and kept me connected with the camp and staff and friends. This past Saturday night in Denver there was an ‘open call’ to any woman who had an affiliation with Cheley. I knew some special faces; but, was floored when a sweet girl approached me with sparkling blue eyes and said… “I don’t know if you remember me; but, I’m Wendy Zimmerman and you were one of my counselors…” I wish you could feel how that felt… the gift of full-circle God allows. The girl next Wendy in the “grown-up” photo was also a part of my life after a personal trauma… No, I mean, seriously… a head trauma - as in - in 1990 I fell off a mountain and she was part of the organized rescue. ZOMG! Did we laugh… last Saterday?! Were we moved…?! Another beautiful woman, Johanna Lorh, had the most heartfelt talk with me about her experiences as a CILT (Camper in Leadership Training). I can’t tell you how powerful these connections and are or how important the time away felt… but I do know that life is AMAZING! Stay alert and stay AMAZED because you never know when this could be the best day of your life!
If you click on the image you’ll be transported to a cool tune called “The Day Brings” by Brad. I hope you embrace your day, stay amazed, and check out the video - to help you stay in tune with what this day may bring for you….
The best hugs are on top of a mountain! Here a special moment is captured of my friends, Amy and Chris, soaking in the day atop this beautiful mountain, Little Matterhorn, a 13,000 foot peak in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado. Mountains and music seem to shape my best most unforgettable memories and this day included both… As we hiked, Chris serenaded us with Ben Harper’s “Waiting on an Angel”… priceless. This photo reminds me of many fortunate days spent exploring, hiking, and working in Estes Park, with extrodinary souls, through the amazing people at Cheley Colorado Camps… the kind of place where, thankfully, like these photos, time stands still.
Here Chris and I are signing the Little Matt’s register found on the mountain’s summit for hikers to log their name, thoughts, or dedications. I wish I could remember what we wrote by our names. These photos are from 2004, my last visit to these amazing mountains. ”I love the mountains… I love the rolling hills… I love the flowers… I love the daphodils…”
