While I was worried about my own wellbeing during the pandemic, I wasn't nearly as scared for myself as I was afraid for others. I mulled over every scenario I could think of for if I caught covid, and I did the same for each of my loved ones. I perpetually worried about what if this friend or that family member got covid. It was truly horrific to ponder, but I couldn't stop it. 

Thankfully, while the lockdowns and constant news coverage on the virus made it feel like I'd never see my loved ones or go for a peaceful walk around Clement park ever again, I did have a bolt hole; Ken Caryl Valley. Specifically, the valley's fifty miles of private hiking trails I had access to thanks to my home address. While all of the public trailheads on Colorado's front range were packed full of people bored to tears due to being home 24/7, the private trails in Ken Caryl were incredibly peaceful and almost completely people-free.

I usually saw more mule deer than people. In fact, those deer were everywhere, and they got to know me pretty well. Within a month, the mule deer were like my pets. Of course, I never fed or touched them, but they were so used to humans that they followed me closely wherever I went. The birds and coyotes were also just as friendly. I swear, I could talk to the animals and they could understand me.

With all of God's wild creatures following right behind me, I hiked the red dirt trails up and over foothills, under the branches of the great Ponderosa Pines, through creeks swollen with snowmelt, and across wide grassy valleys that stretched north to south for as far as the eye could see. I was hiking out there nearly every day, snow or shine, wind or calm, taking in all of the sights and sounds of late winter and early spring. Out there, in those quiet foothills, my worries and fears were dispelled by the glory and awe of God's artistry. My heart swelled with praise for His works, and I constantly thanked God for creating such amazing things. I noticed things that I'd never noticed before, such as the sweet, subtle scent of wildflowers on the breeze, or the gentle feeling of cold stream water rushing through my fingers when I dipped my hand in the creeks.

Since coming to Christ, the natural world just seemed brighter, more vibrant. Trikafta helped enhance my senses too. 

I prayed about covid while I was on my hours' long hikes. While hiking, I was able to remain calm, and pray seriously and clearly about even the scariest things covid had to offer. I prayed for the health and safety of my loved ones. I said the names of every friend and family member I had aloud, asking God to keep them safe, healthy, and most importantly, alive. Even if the worst case scenario happened, I prayed that God would give them and me peace, and we would meet again on a new Earth someday. 

Truly, what a friend of Jesus I was. 

After those long hikes, I returned home feeling completely at peace and refreshed. In the shower, I washed the dirt and leaves off my skin and out of my hair, continuing to pray for my loved ones while also thanking God for creating such majestic landscapes, and allowing me the opportunity to explore them. Without Trikafta, I would've been far too sick to hike out there as much as I did, and I would've been way too afraid of covid to leave my bedroom. Without Trikafta, covid would've been a death sentence had I gotten it before I got vaccinated against it. Thank God, literally, that Trikafta came out when it did.