When I arrived in Boulder, Colorado on October 16, 2012, on an RTD bus from the Denver Amtrak station with the hope of finding my own place to live near my three grown children, daughter-in-law, and grandchild.
I stayed with one of my family members for a time and later at the Foot of the Mountain motel off of Canyon Blvd., near Boulder Park.
While staying at the motel, I often walked up Arapahoe Avenue or through Boulder Park, near Boulder Creek. One early evening returning to the motel, I noticed a beautiful star shining brightly overhead, which I later learned was lit upon Flagstaff Mountain.
I called it the Christmas Star as it reminded me of the star that guided the shepherds and three Magi to the Christ Child born of Mary in Bethlehem.
I found out more recently that the Flagstaff Star has a history of origin and purpose. It had been built and first lit in respectful memory of the veterans, returned from war.
For myself, the beautiful lit star gave me hope and peace that all was well in my life and the lives of my family and that all was turning out well.
I stayed several weeks in a nice, clean little cabin at Foot of the Mountain motel. I spent time daily walking up toward Alfalfa’s Supermarket. They provided an electric burner and microwave for me to heat up frozen foods and leftovers. I was quite comfortable.
My sons and daughter came as frequently as they could as they all were working many hours and at distances so that with the winter weather, travel was difficult if not dangerous later in the day.
I had a wonderful Christmas, cozy in the cabin, and warmed nicely by bundling up outside in the slowly falling snow.
I watched Christmas specials, mostly Hallmark shows, which were very enjoyable and comforting.
Every early evening, walking back toward the motel, I would follow the brightly lit star shining on the mountain top ahead of me and imagined the Magi and shepherds making their treks across the land to visit and bring gifts to the Christ Child.
It was a magical, mystical time for me in a new place so far from the state where I had lived back East and I felt warm and wonderful to be near my grown children. I had come to Colorado with the desire to live near family and found myself inspired.