At the Summit, Lantern in Hand
There are moments on a long journey when the body realizes something before the mind does.
This morning, it felt as though I had reached a peak, not in triumph, not in conquest, but in quiet arrival. The kind that comes after years of climbing without a map, trusting only what could be felt beneath the feet and carried in the hands.
From here, I can see the landscape of my life clearly and without weight. Not erased. Not bypassed. Simply honored.
Every tool I carried served a purpose.
Every layer I wore protected me when it was needed.
Every detour taught me how to listen more closely.
And now, standing here, I can lay those things down with reverence, not because they were wrong, but because they have completed their work.
This place is not an ending.
It is a resting place where effort gives way to witnessing.
There is space here to bow to what has been, without being pulled back into it.
There is space to breathe without anticipation.
There is space to invite what is coming, gently, without demand.
What surprises me most is the tenderness of it.
The desire to place a hand on my own heart and say, “You did this. You kept going. You stayed.”
This journey has not been for the faint of heart. And yet, it has shaped a way of moving through the world that is quieter now. More trusting. Less concerned with arrival and more devoted to presence.
From this place, I feel called not to explain the path, but to leave light along it, small markers of care, gratitude, and recognition. Offerings placed without expectation. Invitations extended without insistence.
A lantern held steady.
I’ve created a space on this site that reflects this way of being, a place where kindred presences, artists, souls, and offerings that have touched my life are acknowledged with care.
If you feel drawn, you’re welcome to step into that gathering here:
Take only what feels warm.
Leave the rest.
The path will meet you in its own time.
I leave this here as a quiet marker, for myself, and for anyone who may arrive in their own time.
~DeAn’Na
A cairn left in gratitude, a lantern held in trust.
For those who wish to linger, this song has long held the spirit of the climb for me. Perhaps, it’s a moment to celebrate your own climb!
This song holds the spirit of the climb for me, honoring the journey as much as the view. Thank you!