Today I have been thinking a lot about Laurel Branch. This is a place I have hiked in the Cherokee National Forest quiet a bit, but have not been to in years now. A few weeks ago, it seemed as if I was being pulled to go up there. There are some unbelievable trees along this branch. There are several stream crossings as well. But it is a very nice hike from the top of the mountain to the bottom. When I think about this trail, I realized the last time I hiked it was when my Mam-maw was dying. I took a video camera with me. She had wanted to go hiking with me so badly but never was able to do so. The day she told me she was dying, she had tears in her eyes and said her hiking days were over. She said she was lucky because she could go hiking through my eyes now. I took the camera as a surprise for her and filmed a hiking trip. Along the way, I talked to her on the camera as if she were right there beside me the entire trip. I still have the tape. There are funny things in it and some very touching things that make me cry when I watch it. She laughed and cried when she watched the tape as I do to this day.

I realized today, I have not been up there since she died. Just driving past the trailhead is very emotional for me. Then I realized….she died 11 years ago. I cannot believe it has been that long. But then there was that call to go back to Laurel Branch Trail just weeks ago. Then last night happened. I rarely “dream” about John and am still trying to figure out in my head if last night was a dream or if we were out together. But he was there and I saw him on the other side of Laurel Branch. He was smiling at me and saying “come to the laurel Sarah”, which is what he calls me sometimes. I just stood on the one side of the branch and watched him and he kept trying to get me to follow him down the creek. Suddenly he was standing beside me and I could feel warmth near me, usually it is very cold when he is near. This time is was warm and he leaned over to me and told me I must go to the branch before next year. He said it was urgent that I go.

It has been on my mind all morning now. There are literally thousands of places to go hiking where I live. Hundreds upon hundreds of trails and I have so many in mind I want to go experience again. Laurel Branch is not one that I had intended to visit again. It would not even be on my list of the top 25 places I want to go hike. But I am being called there and I do not know why. So…. I know John well enough to know he will not leave me alone about it. I will go as soon as I get the chance. I will have my daughter drop me off at the top of the trail and hike the entire length from top to bottom. Whatever it is I am supposed to know, see or feel….I will find it.

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