On Facebook my cousin posted the question, when was your “pinch me” moment. Immediately upon reading it, I typed in “living in Montana” and hit enter.
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There have been numerous “pinch me” moments in my life, and as such, I feel grateful to have had them.
Marriage at 17 with 3 children by the time I was 21 seems unreal at times, as does my husband buying our family a home with an in-ground swimming pool. The pool was totally unexpected, and for a brief time I felt as though we had sold out. I know it’s weird, but I thought by moving into such a home and neighborhood we had become part of “the establishment“, which for a “boomer” like me, wasn’t something I cared to do. Giving birth to my two girls after 40 also qualifies as “pinch me” moments, and often I am astounded that David and I are almost done with raising a second family.
My list seems endless. Everything from awe-inspiring vacations to being a grandma of 15 are on my list. But for the sake of brevity, I will stick to a “pinch me” moment in Montana, as my life here has held much in the way of dream-like experiences.
Recently after leaving the abandoned property where David and I had taken pictures before returning to pick up the girls from Hunter Education, we stopped to look at the elk. It was the 2nd time we had seen this particular herd; the first time being off of Trapp Road.
Elk herd, Flathead Valley, Montana
They were a magnificent sight, and approximately 25 of them were standing in an open field off of the road. The Swan Range loomed behind the herd which made for the perfect backdrop of mountains and wildlife. As I observed them from afar, I got a “pinch me” moment, not only because I was having the privilege to see such creatures in nature, but because I was part of the landscape – the landscape of Montana.
David photographing elk.
You may be reading this and thinking, “Huh, part of the landscape – what’s the big deal, it was just a herd of elk.”
Elk
For me – the southern girl who grew up, got married, and eventually moved away with her family to start a new life in Montana – it meant that I had arrived – arrived at a place in my life where I could honestly say that I am living testament that life is what you make it.
For years, I set my intention on moving to Montana. I used to tell people that, “I was moving come hell or high water”, an idiom meaning that I was going despite any obstacle. Eventually, everything fell into place and our move finally materialized. And for the most part, living here has been a dream and one big “pinch me” moment.
Everyone has had “pinch me” moments in their lives where they feel the moment is too good to be true, must be a dream, and that someone should pinch them to wake them up.
I believe our “pinch me” moments are the culminations of our inner most desires that have come to manifest. For example, you may have always dreamed of meeting a celebrity, traveling to the Orient, or having a large family. When you realize that these things have happened in your life, you can reflect upon them and know that you are responsible for making them happen.
In order to experience more of life’s “pinch me” moments, which are considered positive, focus your thoughts on the things you want, not on the things you do not want. Have faith and give thanks for what you do have. Try not to grumble about what you don’t have.
I like this quote from Albert Einstein which gives insight into how our thoughts, whether positive or negative, come to pass. ~ Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.
So there you have it, you can either imagine something good or imagine something not so good. It’s up to you.
After stopping to look at the elk, we picked up the girls and drove to muzzleloading.
