• If I have said it once I have said it numerous times, How can it be that simple?
    I have not figured this out and yet it puzzles me still. I have been out here now for longer than I care to mention. It was not always this way, I once was an insider. Someone with whom everyone talked with and shared many a nights stories with.
    I remember the night that I met her, It was a warm night in the desert not far from the camp. I had come across her on the path that we were both walking on from opposite directions. I knew that night would be one that I would tell my grandchildren one day.
    I know that life gives you the chance to meet that one true love. Not knowing when in life that time will be. My chance was that night, and knowing what was to come would make me do it all over again the same as I had that wonderfull night.
    Astrania is her name and she is the most adorable woman with whom I have ever met.
    Chance meeting gave the two of us a world of our own. A world that was full of life and love. Crossing paths would change both of us in more ways than one.

    My heart skipped more than a beat when she walked past me on the trail. Looking into her eyes as she walked by she slowly lowered her head as to avoid that moment of contact as we brushed each others shoulders on that narrow trail in the deserts sandstone cliffs. Without hesitation as we passed I called out to her and said, "Might be you raise your head walking round that next turn or you might be in for a nasty bruise to your pride should you run into that cactus just ahead of you."
    Looking back I noticed her head raise ever so slightly as to look ahead to avoid the nasty little plant, Yet not enough to relinquish control of the fact that I was right in the fact that there was the huge plant just seconds from her being imapiled by the little buggar.
    With her turning the corner I figured doubtfully the need to follow her. I didn't want her thinking nothing less of me as a person. So like a fool I sat down and thought of the right way to approach her without being forward and agressive in the process.
    Well wonder no more, I apparently took a little longer than she thought I would so she took it upon herself to come back to me. Man did I feel like a dummy.
    So I was wondering, she said as she approached me.
    Wondering to myself, is he coming to see if I might need some help beings how I was out here by myself in the dark and walking around with barely any light.
    Needles to say, I felt like a big idiot.
    Forgive me for being a fool, I asked her.
    Might you be in need of some help tonight? I asked.
    I might, was her reply.
    Well then in that case let me offer to you my services in any way that you might need.
    After brief introduction and a little small talk I got up and walked with her in the direction of where her camp should be.
    Walking now for some time we could not make any sign of where her camp might be. Knowing this part of the desert was my world. One with whom I have spent many days and nights wandering and searching its vast beauty.
    With little time left before the clouds grew heavy in the sky, we decided it best to make camp for ourselves for the evening. Promising her bright and early that we would set off in search of her camp and her friends.
    With our walking around we had begun to learn more from one another and really started to enjoy the others company.
    Setting camp we talked a little more and I built a fire to keep us warm in the desrt nights chilly winds. We sat up for hours talking with the night passing us by it wasn't till the sounds of the early morning interupted our thoughts and we were once again in this world.
    Our thoughts became like one as we shared ourselves in story and in detail, already having a sense of what the other was like without ever really knowing each other. We both traveled as one, as the other talked of our life. Somehow we knew where our mind was going and shared in the others thoughts by adding to the storyline.
    Daybreak came and we rose together, and made our way around the trails till she remembered where she was going. Noticing her friends in the distance searching for her, she then realized the severity of the situation. Making like a bee we moved quickly to catch up to her friends.
    With everyone in tears and hugs of joy, they were all thankfull that she was in good health. Some had feared the worst when they could not find her. Tears of joy now were all they had for one another. With the moment of relief to all of them together, I slipped out and started back towards my camp. Looking back I noticed all her friends hugging her, and just smiled knowing that they were the lucky ones in having her as a friend.
    Climbing the little hill just past her camp, I sat down in the morning light.
    Enjoying the new beauty I saw in the world after knowing such a remarkable woman; with whom I have had the privillage to meet.
    A moment later and I was again returned to this world from my own. With the sound of," Hey you better keep your head up before you go walkin down that hill".
    Smilling to myself I said, Why is that?
    Because I don't want you taking a tumble and killing yourself before we get a chance to go out, she said.
    Turning around she caught me off guard as she threw her arms around me and gently kissed me on the lips.
    Best be calling me she said as she handed me a piece of paper, as she turned and headed back towards her friends. And thank you again for the wonderfull evening.