When the sun peeked through after five days of rain, my husband and I scrapped our lengthy to-do lists, and headed to the Superstition Mountains for a morning of hiking.
Water in the desert is a rarity.
Mollie, our rust-colored terrier/retriever, was already whining for adventure as we parked our Toyota Highlander at the First Water Trailhead. Her tail was a thumping metronome as I zipped up my raincoat and checked the laces of my hiking boots, having left my normal trail-running shoes at home. I hate hiking with wet feet.
We stepped from our vehicle into falling mist. The air breathed moisture.
We hiked up several ridgelines, through mesquite and jojoba. A red-tailed hawk circled us momentarily before deciding Mollie, a thirty-pound fur ball, was too large for a meal. Mollie, unconcerned, immersed herself in a six-foot puddle that swallowed the entire trail. She lapped muddy water with smiley eyes, content to be soaking wet all afternoon.
The trail dipped into a wash and we boulder-hopped across the running water, enjoying the rare occasion where the dry wash lived up to its surname. Most of the year we only experience the first naming.
Dry. As in dry as dust. Dust on leaves. Dust on the trail. Dust in our lungs.
A few desert washes are large enough to receive a title: Centennial, Dragoon and Kingman, but even our largest urban river, the Salt, makes headlines whenever its banks contain moisture:
“Water in the Salt River,” the newspapers proclaim, a phenomenon not understood by non-desert dwellers. Geologists have a term for lakes and water features that temporarily fill after a rain or snowmelt: ephemeral. This is what drives us to clear our calendars — to chase after what lasts briefly, perhaps only one day.
We hear our destination before we see it. Not drops. Not a trickle. Not exactly a roar. But a tumble.
Massacre Falls.
Most places in the world have Bridal Falls. Or Treasure Falls. But here in the Superstitions we have the Massacre, named from a purported event when a crew of miners were slaughtered in the area — part of the legend surrounding the Lost Dutchman’s Mine. If we had arrived any other time of the year, the water would have dribbled down the rock face. (Somehow Massacre Dribble doesn’t sound very appealing).
But, for the second time that day, in the water’s spray, we enjoyed the fulfillment of the second part of a name — falls — water cascading down a cliff face towering above us.
Ephemerality.
Salt versus river. Dry versus wash. Massacre versus waterfall. Let’s face it. Each of us has a combination of these dual realities happening in our lives. The names are married together.
Cancer survivor is my dual reality. I live under the weight of the first naming. Sometimes the fear of recurrence has closed my eyes to the possibilities of being a survivor, as I focus instead on the dust, the salt, and yes, the massacre.
So, when given the chance, I clear my calendar and go searching for the second naming in the desert: the river, the wash and the waterfall. I clear my calendar and immerse myself.
Even if I end up wet all afternoon.
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Lynne,
What beautiful imagery you create here. Praise that you are a survivor!! It makes me think that many of us live a dual reality. I live with OCD and depression and have for a long time. I could let it define me. I could let the enemy use it to continually take me down but I won’t. In Christ’s strength and in His strength alone, I, too, am a survivor. Thanks to a good physician and Christian counselor I have mostly good days, but some days I lie parched unable to move. Thankfully the rain of God’s grace pours down on me and I get up and keep going. Dry and wet, pain and joy can coexist. They have to because we’re human. It makes me think about how so many times I am dry spiritually – just out of touch with God. Then, when I dip in to the quenching water of His Word, I am restored. He makes these dry bones rise from the grave. Praying for you that you keep on surviving and keep heading for the hills when the rains come. Lovely post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Lynne Hartke says
Thank you, Bev, for your kind words. I never understood the dual reality of joy and pain, dry and wet, until I had cancer. I love your phrase, “Thankfully the rain of God’s grace pours down on me….” Yes. Yes. Yes. God’s grace is what we all need in the dual realities where we live. Blessings.
Mary says
“clear my calendar and go searching for the second naming”…powerful words, Lynne, that speak to my heart and remind me of some choices I need to make. Thank you for sharing your heart in this space.
Lynne Hartke says
Thank you Mary. It’s difficult to make the time, but I am never sorry when I do. Blessings.
Theresa Boedeker says
You made me want to go on a hike. You also reminded me that so much of life is living involves a duel reality.
Lynne Hartke says
In Arizona we are in prime hiking season now. I realize it is not that way in the rest of the country! Yes, the dual reality in life took me a long time to realize. And embrace. Blessings.
Janel A says
That was stunning. Your writing had me along for the journey.
And also since I am unaware of these dry wash areas I shall be looking that up to further my knowledge.
Thank you for talking about naming as well and the dual realities we often live with. A parched place and a springfilled place and the reality of living in the midst of both.
Lynne Hartke says
Thank you Janal. Dry washes are common in the desert. I’m not sure they exist anywhere else in the world, but you learn early on to not pitch your tent in a “dry” wash. Blessings.
R. Abbott says
This is a powerful message…and (!) I was SO delighted to discover that the reference to the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. After 30 years of residence I have MANY memories associated with that area.
Lynne Hartke says
Ah, I fellow lover of the Superstitions. It is such a beautiful area. Sometimes a barren beauty, but still incredible. I have many memories there also.
Lyn says
Stay strong – you have set your soul free, I pray many more of us can do that!
Lynne Hartke says
Thank you, Lyn. Prayers and blessings in your own dual reality.
Lori says
❤ (I left my comment on Instagram) Thank you for sharing your words, your journey, your heart.
Lynne Hartke says
I will go check Instagram!! Blessings in your journey as well.
Bridget says
“I will pour out a blessing”… “thankful the rain of grace pours down on me”! Dual reality…for me it’s anxiety and depression – your post and the comments as well, encourage me to keep pushing through; to be an overcomer; a survivor. Thank you so much for sharing. Isn’t it wonderful how God pours an unexpected blessing on our day?! Abba help me to focus on the positives of my dual-reality; to search for the second naming! Thank you so much for this post.
Lynne Hartke says
I agree with your prayer!!!
Penny says
Lynne,
What a beautifully descriptive post. I’m sorry to hear of ‘your’ dual reality that prompted it, and pray that you keep well.
Penny
Lynne Hartke says
Thank you Penny. I appreciate your prayers. I am a 7-year survivor, but have lost both parents to cancer in that time. I’m learning to discover joy!
Penny says
Lynne,
I’m so sorry about your parents but I sincerely hope that seven years becomes eight, nine, ten, and on, and on.
Have a blessed day,
Penny
Meredith says
The idea of a new naming reminds me of Ezekiel 36:26. “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” Ez. 36:26 <3 Thank you for sharing these encouraging thoughts.
Lynne Hartke says
I love that verse! Thank you for reminding me!
Rebecca L Jones says
This also made me think of what it is to be double minded. I spent a lot of my life being indecisive, I hated it. It’s like the phrase love/hate relationship, but thank God He loves us through it all. I’m blessed to know cancer survivors, I truly believe fear is the opposite of faith, if we all could only think like God, we could add the words, healed and beloved.
Lynne Hartke says
“Healed and beloved.” What powerful words. I love to think that those are also our names!
Laura says
As a fellow cancer survivor your words expressed my heart! I have been learning that life IS about living in dual realities and that we simply can’t have one without the other. There is no either/or but both/and. It at times feels contradictory however I am learning that although I may not be able to reconcile the two I am able to accept it. I am thankful I am not alone on this jourrney and though I may not understand, I can always trust the One who does. Thanks again for such a beautiful word picture experience….i saw it, felt it, experienced it. And loved it. ❤
Lynne Hartke says
Thank you Laura. You say you are thankful you are not alone on this journey. I, too, am thankful for the One who is with me.
Lea says
Thank you! This is very much where I am at the moment. So many blessings, but so many hard things in my late 30s. Aging parents, loneliness, a demanding job with so many expectations, a friend with cancer that I’m not sure how to best bless. I keep feeling like I’m he closest & furthest from God at thall same time. You encouraged me.
Lynne Hartke says
I am sorry that you have so many difficult realities right now, Lea. I have experienced that closeness and far-ness of God in the same season. And oh, cancer and aging parents and so many hard things!! I am going to pause and pray for you right now!!
Lea says
Thank you so much! Be blessed.
NJ says
Thank you, Lynne! I just got to read Encourage now, at the end of this day and so thankful to do so!!! That verse is one that has been very dear to my heart for many years, but with the traumatic struggles I am having with my “offspring” ~ I have not had that verse come across my heart for a long time! I am so thankful for you doing that today for me! I am going to cling to that verse for my “offspring.” It also reminds me of the hymn, “There shall be showers of blessings…” which is also a great comfort! Your imagery was a beautiful and powerful picture of your journey. Thank you so much for sharing and may the LORD continue to bless and use you and may HE grant you complete healing. I so appreciate you and the other ladies being so open with the hard struggles of life and our GOD’s precious help and promises.
Lynne Hartke says
I am not familiar with the hymn (although I have many other favorites), but I do love that scripture verse. Blessings to you today as you move forward in your journey.
Beth Williams says
Lynne,
Life is often to short. We must chase after what lasts briefly. God gives us good things to enjoy and we must enjoy them while they are here. We all need to clear our calendars now and then go chase after the beauty that God provides. Loved the imagery of water in a dry thirsty land. God is continually blessing us and yet trials show up now and then. The dual reality of most people is such busy lives and not much time to enjoy the blessings of God. That is until a trial comes and slows you down.
Blessings 🙂
Lynne Hartke says
Beth, I never thought of a busy life as a dual reality, but how true that is!!! I love that insight. Thank you for sharing that with me. Blessings.