Henry's Spirit Lives On!

SUBMISSION FOR  PHOTO ESSAY CHALLENGE

This is a story of a little screech owl that has made its home in not only my heart but the hearts of my family as well.  This is a true story and one that I honestly believe will grow with time.

This year my husband Gary and I are really into camping and traveling to the extent we can within his vacation time.  In less than two years, he will retire and then we will really hit the high road. 

In February, we took our "maiden voyage" in our new RV to Hot Springs, NC.  Our two dogs, Katie and Jack, went along with us and we met up with daughter Angie and her friend Julie at the campground.  It was a huge campground but only a few slots were occupied.  The cold and the rain had deterred the sane people; so we "light in the heads" had the pick of the sites.

Though it rained most of the time and we had wind gusts thru the night of up to 75 miles an hour, it was a grand time.  The RV was wonderful and was a haven in the storm for us. 

The highlight of this experience was a little screech owl that Angie and Julie named Henry.  This is Henry's story to date!

Please read the article written previously...the beginning of Henry's story before continuing:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976918619

This was, or so I thought, the whole of the story.  But now, as they say, the "plot thickens".  Last weekend we went on yet another camping trip.  This time it was with several family members as well as Angie and Julie.  Not unlike the previous trip, it was damp and cold.  Apparently, even though Monday thru Thursday the temp was in the 60's and 70's, the weekend was to be the last "cold spell" and of course our plans were such that we couldn't change them.  We braved the elements as did one and all and stayed the course.  We went to Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee.  Though it's only about two hours from our house, we had never visited the falls. 

Everyone with the exception of myself, Gary, Angie and Julie went on a two hour hike on Saturday.  The photos of the surrounding forces of nature are breathtaking.  A few years ago, we would have all gone on the hike.  I don't fair very well in the cold.  Low temps exacerbate symptoms of Parkinson's; Dystonia or muscle rigidity is part of my PD profile.  For most of the weekend I seemed to have a continuous "charlie horse" that moved from place to place within my body.  Anyway, though I insisted they go that I would be fine; they each gave some lame excuse why they were not going and stayed there with me.

Photos of the falls and other sites along the trail:

Later that afternoon the four of us loaded up in Angie's car and drove to the nearest falls.  Close to the parking area, I didn't have to walk very far to experience first hand the beauty of one of the several waterfalls in the area.  Not far from the vantage point to the Cascade Falls, there was an amazing swinging bridge that literally terrified me.  Not for myself, but I didn't want them to go out on it.  Below the bridge seemed to be a vast emptiness until reaching the boulders at the bottom of the terrain.  I was scared to death one of them might fall.

Photo of the Swinging Bridge and other sites : 

When we returned to the campsite, everyone was sitting around the campfire trying to get warm. 

I was all caught up in the emotions of the day, feeling a bit like a burden but also exhausted from the pain.  Gary broke my train of thought (private pity party) with a loud exclamation. I didn't understand what he said but could see that he was excited about something.  He said it again and I thought I understood him to say "Henry"!

Gary was stoking the fire and pointing to the hot ambers.  This is what he was showing us:

Now compare the burning ambers to one of the original photos of Henry:

Do you see what Gary was so excited about?  There, big as day, is a depiction of Henry! 

What does this mean?  I dunno! 

Are we seeing things?  I dunno!  But if you see it too...well that kinda qualifies it huh?

Neither of these photos have been "doctored"...you are seeing digitally what we saw live and  in person.

I choose to believe that this will be an ongoing journey with Henry.  That Henry is a sign of hope...hope for a better day...hope for a tomorrow.  A hope that we should encourage.  Henry's spirit lives on!

The End that Doesn't End!