100 Coyotes, Three Cathedrals, and One Serial Killer
Previously, I described how a wealthy third grade friend sparked a love of nature within me. She led me through woods, across swamp, and to the bank of a river that were all part of her family’s property, and I found them every bit as voluptuous as the mansion that fronted their land. Then I had the great fortune to spend summers at my grandfather’s cabin in the Pocono Mountains (the grandfather who fed me ice cream, not the grandfather who fed me wine). It was a time and place when kids could roam freely, and play by circadian rhythms…
Cool mornings were for exploration, as we made our way in devotional silence under a canopy of oaks and pines. We scouted for pieces of wormwood and the occasional bone (“Fox!” I‘d whisper dramatically, though it was just as likely to be someone’s diminutive pet.) When the sun was high, we’d drag our inner tubes down to the creek and spend the afternoon squealing and splashing our praise. And as darkness fell, we’d swat mosquitoes and find the Big Dipper before falling into sacred sleep. 
In my 20’s, I moved back to the west coast. I wanted to shake off the white cold and gray stone of the east and revisit the warm memories of my earlier childhood. In the diverse ecosystems that surround Los Angeles, my lover and I learned to camp. We bought a used VW bus, made a bed in the back and stocked it with the things we needed to hike, cook over a campfire, imbibe liberally, and love voraciously. And each venture brought some miracle. On the beach, a school of dolphins, or the spout of a whale. In the mists of coastal forest, a bottle of champagne shared inside a thousand-year-old redwood. At a deep lake, a near-drowning that reminded us ‘nature don’t talk no smack.’ In the heat of the desert, bodies squirming, life-affirming, under the stars. 
Regrettably, that love didn’t last, but I found future loves as well as friends who helped to strengthen this faith. I wanted to bring nature closer to my daily life, so I moved to a house in the foothills. Walks with my dog were like daily prayer. And eventually this led to one of the most spiritual events of my life: In a town where cathedrals outnumbered bars, I studied the beauty of nature’s predators (a hobby of mine), and found a human version whose ugliness could rival a television drama (another hobby). Talk about providence! 
Irrational fear of wolves caused them to be hunted nearly to extinction. What and whom should we fear? In my book in progress, Licking the Spoon, I address many of the fears of men that inhibit women in their sexual relationships.
OK, so I’ve used a little poetic license. The coyotes were 100 more or less – I didn’t know the exact number. I didn’t actually find the human predator, but rather, I found out how near and recently he had hunted. And the killer himself was convicted of one murder, not a series (although two additional sexual assault survivors who testified against him begged the question, were there more?) Nonetheless, alone in a rickety trailer, 30-degrees-below, winds howling, coyotes howling, and at a crossroads within myself, I grappled with fear and longing, life and death, and my own meaning of faith.
I don’t know if there is an afterlife, and I learned that I don’t need to guess. Isn’t this life a miracle? And can’t we spend a little more effort figuring out how to stop ruining it all?
You always keep me wanting more and more!
I thought I replied to this! Technology just makes me crazy…sigh. Thanks for your comment, Diana!
This is just the best title I’ve seen in a long time. Who could not continue reading???
Thanks, nirvana. I guess I need to work on getting the word out, because then I’d have like a million followers! Ha ha.
this is great stuff, i’d love to meet the writer some day 🙂
Hopefully you will, Fred. Thanks for reading!
After reading, I want to go back to my childhood. Became adult is nice, but during childhood i dont have to worry about everything so much. Time never came back 🙁
Great article
Thank you. It was quite an experience.
The Title of this article definitely got me, the article was as good as the title lol, you’re so creative !!
Its impressive how you come up with all this. The title already got my attention from the very beginning. Starting strong & Ending strong. Well done!
“I don’t know if there is an afterlife, and I learned that I don’t need to guess. Isn’t this life a miracle? And can’t we spend a little more effort figuring out how to stop ruining it all?” I totally agree with you we should just all stop for a minute and be grateful and enjoy those little things in life 🙂
I like the fact you had so much adventure in your childhood there are some people who won’t even take one step out of the city life.
In a way, most childhoods are an adventure because everything is so new. But some get more exposure than others.
awesome title for this article!
It does make you wonder, doesn’t it? Thank you!
I loved the vivid imagery in this article, but overall I enjoyed it immensely. I can’t wait to read more! 🙂
Thank you! And I plan to keep writing!
I was relieved to find out that you formed a relationship with nature and that you appreciate wildlife but also that you’ve had adventures and experienced so many childhood memories because now in society that is something that becomes harder and harder to come by.
Thank you, Nabil, and yeah, I’m not sure how much children will look back fondly at how they played video games.
I don’t know a lot of people these days that likes to adventure into the wilderness, especially at the age you were at. So many times I’ve been on a hike somewhere and see people reach the end only to take a picture and turn back. I too think that we must appreciate the nature around us at times, even if we must slow down our lives for a second to do so.
Our environmental professors at school call us “urban children” and lament how many of us are cut off from nature, the very thing thatsupports us and gives us life! I’m glad you’re out hiking.
Very catchy title! We live in an urbanized world that sometimes we loose that connection with nature! I would want to move elsewhere to enjoy natures true beauty! Loved this post!
Thank you, I really enjoy coming up with the titles!
This one is more of what I can relate to. I bet those were some of your favorite years
Yes, my experience there was quite amazing.
what a great article I can picture the scenery the way you explained it.
I’m glad I was able to draw that picture!