Take a moment in time - its yours

Have you ever had one of those moments in life that you wish you could capture?
To take time, and frame by frame distil it; not just the visual world around you or the sounds that fill your mind, or the bittersweet feeling of pain mixed with joy and excitement, but along with all that the freedom, the company, the fear, the wonder and awe; the whole vibe?
Have you?

A snapshot of your life tucked away to take out and re-experience when things get rough, living is a struggle and the world seems set against you? To remind you that life doesn't always suck, that God loves you and that this world He created is full of beauty and amazement, not just a giant rotting ball of hate?

A freeze frame to share with your friends and family so they could actually get it?
To not just live vicariously through your poor verbal rendition?


Picture this, imagine this, try to feel and experience this: -
It's 3pm and the sun is still setting, it has been since about 12:30pm, but that’s a whole nother story. The temperature has dropped to something that could best be described as Arctic; which in itself isn’t surprising being above the arctic circle (that probably explains the setting sun to...)

So picture this. The red glow in the sky, reflecting off the clouds that swamp the distant mountains, a now-white lake, frozen below us.
A fine mist of snow flowing like liquid over the peak of the slope.
A row of white clouds bursting forth from the snow machines that stretch up the mountain above us.
An empty slope below, flood-lit, complete with undulating shadows to hide the line, the bumps, the dangers and snares.
A lone companion strapping in, buckling in next to you; excitement and awe in their eyes like a reflection of your own.

Hear this, conjure it in your mind.
The sound of your board sliding over snow,
Of metal edges cutting in.
The gush of mist bursting into the air,
The click of buckles holding you ever tighter,
The voice of a friend.
All stolen away by a steadily rushing wind.

Feel this, try and imagine it.
The painful pressure of your mechanical ride to the top, the T-Bar, bane of all snowboarders, as it digs in behind your left thigh. 'Not long now, not long till it will be gone... for a time'.
The relief of making it to the top.
The icy wind cutting through your carefully prepared layers of clothing,
Freezing your breath as it leaves your mouth,
You're just another snow machine now.
The snow gliding beneath your board,
It’s harder than it seems you realise again as your land on your bruised behind,
It jars your wrists just one more time.
The frozen mist from the machines that passes off as snow,
Covering you, filling you.
Your knuckles hitting knuckles as you bid farewell to a friend and begin your descents,
Gliding,
Turning,
Flying.

Smell this:
Nothing but fresh air and cold snow powder.

Experience this:
The calm as you sit/glide/stand (which is it? all or none, still cant tell...) next to a freind discussing the important things in life as your are dragged up a hill, "your favourite food?", "Best outdoor experience?"
The awe as your reach the peak and look back at the scene above and below,
where the heavens meet the mountains.
The words stop.
Excitement and joy as you sit buckling your boots into your board,
Fear that fuels adrenaline slowly making its way into the mix of emotions.
Release as your stand and gravity takes hold and your board edge cuts in.
Moments of nerves as you fly with wind rushing against your body while the glow of lights is traded for the depths of a shadow with its hidden snares.
Freedom.

Sorrow as you know it cant last forever.

That's my moment in time.