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Do you have a special place that exists in your mind? A place that can help you clear you mind and drift away from it all for a while? A sort of "safe" place where you can be silent and alone; where you can find peace?

Some people might answer, simply, "the seashore," or "the garden," but my special and safe place is a bit more specific. It is an area in British Columbia and the beauty of this scene is seared into my mind as if it were right out my kitchen window today.

It was the summer of 1973 when I joined three friends for a journey of hiking and backpacking in western Canada. On one three-day trek up into the backcountry, we came upon a breathtaking lake and there we decided to make camp for the night. We were surrounded by the Canadian Rockies and it was just coming on evening, even though it was 10 p.m. As the sun got lower and lower, a purplish hue was cast upon those glorious tall mountains and tiny wildflowers were all around us; their vibrant colors still defy description. As a gentle breeze swept over our pup tents, several mountain big horned sheep wandered into camp to investigate our site and graze in the field where we had settled for the night.

Even though I was with my three friends and several other backpackers who had also set up camp, as I gazed upon those mountains and the sheep and the flowers, I felt alone. I was sitting in the midst of this amazing scene.

To say that it was beautifully spectacular would not even begin to it justice. I remember being in awe of nature's beauty; I remember being in awe of God's remarkable handiwork of creation.

This is what I visualize when I want to totally clear my mind. Just thinking of this lovely scene is almost like a prayer in itself. It never fails to help me feel extra-close to God.

If you don't have such a place to retreat to of your own, just take a look outside your window; or better yet, go outside and look around. Do you see blazing autumn leaves that are still clinging to a nearby tree? Or maybe the sky is a beautiful azure blue or the clouds are puffy and white. Perhaps the morning is chilly and an early frost is clinging to your lawn.

Whatever you see that speaks to you, whatever you see that brings you closer to the Father, remember it. Seek that as a place of solace when you need to "zone out" and find internal peace. These places are a gift from the Creator to enjoy and for which we should be grateful. "O come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God...in his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also..."

I do thank God for the special place that lives within my mind, this special place that He created. I thank him for such a nice way to meditate, pray, and grow closer to the Lord.

Ann Thomas Rinker has lived in Mount Airy for more than 20 years and has written for The Gazette for most of that time. She is married to Roger L. Rinker, a pastor of Harvest Wind Lutheran Church in New Market. They have three children and two grandchildren. If you would like to respond to her column, e-mail her at atrinker@verizon.net.