Life is Calling

Trees fly by as I speed down the highway, headed north. Taking a chance, I threw my clothes in a bag to explore an opportunity to work in Estes Park, Colorado. My roommate told me I had lost my mind and that I was an idiot for even thinking that this idea would work, but it felt right. Ringing draws my attention to my stereo as an incoming call pauses my music. It's my mother.

"Hello?"

"Honey, where are you at?" Her voice sounds wary as it comes through the speakers.

I sigh, "Mom, don't freak out, but I'm heading to Colorado."

"What? Why in the hell are you going there?" Her words echo around me, and I cringe.

"I accepted a job offer to work in the Rocky Mountain State Park at the office located there and thought I would test the waters. I think I will love it." I smile and prepare for her to scold me for my terrible choice as my roommate did.

"So, you're throwing your career with the coffee company out the window to pursue this idea? What will you be doing? You worked so hard to get into management! Why would you throw that away?" Disappointment coats her words, and I fight the internal reaction to give in and turn around, but not this time.

"It will be fine mom. I was miserable anyway. I need this change. I feel it in my bones. I will be working for their media department."

"What about all of your things in your apartment? What about Beth?" She asks, and I laugh.

"I'm going to move everything once I find a place to live. Beth thinks it's a terrible idea, but lately, she and I haven't been on good terms. She's had a terrible habit of leaving her things scattered all over the apartment and keeps borrowing my clothes without asking. I think it will be better for our friendship that we no longer room together."

"If you say so. I guess I can't keep you from doing what you desire. You're a grown woman, after all. I love you, Lana. Call me when you get there." Her voice is sad, but I don't let it get to me. I stand by my decision to take a leap of faith with this career move.

"I will mom. We will talk later, love you." I hit the end call button on my steering wheel and stop at a red light.

I glance down at the map on my phone and see that I need to turn right here and take the second left ahead to reach the park's main office. I glance around to make sure the path is clear before cutting over to turn.

They didn't tell me much over the phone about what I would be doing, but they loved the images I shared with them in my application. I stumbled across the job offer on Instagram, and something in me said to take a chance on it. I mean, what could go wrong?

Photography is my favorite hobby, and I have carried my camera around with me for years. Every bit of free time I have, I spend taking pictures of animals, nature, people, and other things that catch my interest.

Working in management has been draining, and even though I finally climbed that tower I sought to climb, I was no longer happy. I have been asked to be a photographer and work with their media team. I assume that it will involve taking pictures throughout the park and using them for marketing. It's a step in the right direction to one day sell my images.

Minutes later, I am seated before David, the lead media director for the park. I try not to wiggle in the soft chairs in his plush office, but butterflies dance in my belly. My palms are also sweaty, and I struggle to hide my nerves. Pictures of native wildlife cover the walls around us, ranging from elk to mountain lions. The images are almost unreal because of how gorgeous they are.

"Lana, I'm glad you could make it. I loved the photos you sent me. I understand that this has been a hobby of yours, correct?" David asks, resting his hands on the desk between us.

"Yes," I say with a smile.

"Well, I hope you're looking forward to making it something more. We have a couple of areas we would like you to cover. We want to use the images you create for an article publishing later in the year regarding the habitat of elk that live here in the park. Does that seem like something you can handle?"

I pause for a moment considering my options. Can I handle hiking through the woods following these massive beats? "Yes, I can, and I look forward to it."

"Great. Here is a map with the area highlighted that they frequent. I can't wait to see your shots. I would like you to send me them by the end of next week if you can."

"Yes sir," I say, standing. I reach a hand out, and we shake hands. I let myself out moments later and form a plan in my mind of what I should do next. I need to find a place to stay, and then tomorrow, I will head out bright and early to begin shooting the elk.

###

The following day loaded down with a thermos of coffee, a water bottle, and snacks, I begin my trek out into the wilderness. I hike along a well-used trail for a while before branching off in the direction of the map's highlighted area. I'm thankful for technology as I use my phone to double-check the direction I'm heading.

I climb over boulders and walk along the edge of cliffs taking in the beauty that surrounds me. The forest is alive, and it calls to something in me. I feel at peace, and joy consumes me. This is what I've been looking for my whole life. I've felt adrift in a sea of uncertainty, but now I think that I've found what I was meant to do.

Thirty minutes later, I'm crouched down in a bush shooting pictures of elk grazing before me. The young ones frolic and play, reminding me of puppies. A rustling to my right catches my ear, and I lower the camera from my face and turn. I freeze instantly as I spy a mountain lion crouched several yards from me.

I watch it quietly and snap a few shots, remaining as silent as possible, with my camera praying it doesn't see me. It takes a quiet step forward, preparing to leap, and I snap another shot. Its's tan ears twitch as it listens, and then it springs from its hiding spot and tackles one of the yearlings closest to us.

I watch, horrified as it bites it and the yearling struggles, but somehow, I manage to make my brain work, and I pull my camera to my eye. I snap as many shots as possible while I breath through my mouth. I don't want to draw its attention from its kill, and I hope there is a way for me to sneak away.

I remain in my spot, holding my camera for an hour. The elk herd moves off shortly after the attack, and the mountain lion drags the dead elk into the brush. I listen intently as the mountain lion rustles around, but after quiet descends, I make my move.

I send up another silent prayer as I edge out of my spot in the bush and force my aching body to move. I retrace my steps as quickly as possible to the main trail and sprint to my car. I crumble as the adrenaline fades from my body in my seat and give myself a moment to cry. That was the most terrifying experience of my life. I glance over at my camera and pick it up from the passenger seat where I tossed it seconds ago. I gasp as I pull up the pictures from earlier. They are bloody and gory but at the same time beautiful. With a bit of tweaking, I know I can bring the colors to life.

The pictures seem to calm me, and I down some of my water from the bottle in my pack. I pull myself together enough to safely drive back to the motel room I have rented for the time being. I may give it a few days before I return to take more pictures, and in the meantime, I will find a place to live.

Today was filled with enough excitement to last a lifetime, but I loved every minute of it. This job is definitely what I needed, and the change has already brought more joy into my life.