All around me the mountains shimmer in the fading colors of sunlight. It was the place I longed to find. The place I could be free. It was time for me to face my fears. It was time for me to face the beautiful mountain laid out before me. I am not alone. With me I carry a small black patch that reads; In memory of Steven E. Brown. Inside that patch and inside my heart rests the resilient soul of my father. In this moment we're connected. If I fall, we fall together. That patch gives me courage, especially when I hear his voice again, telling me to believe in myself so I can shine like the sun, overcoming any enemy.

At the top of the mountain I see millions of lights off in the distance as the bright sun gives way to a silvery moon. I'm at the edge. The edge looking down with my snowboard strapped to my feet, ready to drop into a white wonderland of fresh sparkling snow. I drop. Relaxing immediately as I remember that my dad is here. I look to my right and there he is! A transparent shadow, blue against the snow. We're racing. I'm racing the dead, the lifeless, the one I love so much. My entire body is electric, tingling with a intensity so great I feel untouchable. Carving down the mountain never felt so good! Breathing the cool, crisp air, catching a glimpse of my fathers spirit, its all a wonderful reverie that I hate to leave.

As I make my way down the mountain for the last time I look back and already the almost tangible shadow of my dad is fading away like mist across the moon. Carving my path down I still feel his presence but not the same connection as before.

Looking back at it all, the mountain, the way the moon falls across the magnificant peaks that seem to break through the sky, looking back I realize something...

I tap the small black patch in my pocket, turn and walk away from it all, realizing that my next encounter with natural beauty, outstanding peace, and the courage I need to fly is just seven days away, waiting for me to return to freedom.