On the same day that I received the news of JR's death I left to spend the weekend in Yosemite with my friend, Ken. I can't imagine a better setting in which to come to terms with another young widow in my family.

Yosemite was one of the first places I visited on my initial trip to California back in the 1970's. I was struck by the natural beauty of the majestic granite rocks, the waterfalls and the beautiful green meadows.

Ken and I parked our car when we arrived and never got in it again until the day we left. We rode our bikes all over the valley. It was paradise. In the morning, we'd get a cup of coffee, sit on the porch and watch the sunrise behind Half Dome. I'd read poetry by Hafiz. To be in the presence of such natural beauty connects you with yourself and with God.

Yosemite valley is a place where the only moving vehicles are shuttle busses that transport visitors up and down the valley. There are bike trails that run through green meadows with wild flowers, waterfalls and majestic granite rocks that frame this gorgeous valley of paradise.. Ahhh. It was heaven.

Ken is adept at living the Good Life. He's teaching me how to do the same. He knows how to ask for what he wants graciously. He often gets exactly what he asks for. It was good for me to witness this kind of humble audacity. When we decided to have brunch at the Awahanee Hotel Saturday morning, he asked the head waiter for a table by the window.

When the waitress took us to our table, she said, "You have the best table in the house". I grinned and winked at Ken, who was beaming with delight.

We were mistaken as a couple several times that weekend, which, of course, we aren’t. Ken is a gay man and has been in a monogamous relationship for 11 years.

We are, however, the best of friends. I can't think of anything I wouldn't be comfortable sharing with Ken. He is a very safe man.

The Merced River, which runs through Yosemite valley, was bursting with rapids of gushing water coming from the melting snow in the Sierra’s. My soul was nourished by all the water in Yosemite Village.

Saturday evening we watched the sunset reflecting on Half Dome. We came upon a group of people gathered on a bridge, many with their cameras on tripods, capturing the changing light surrounding the famous "Half Dome".

Thanks Ken for inviting me to share this marvelous paradise with you. It was exactly what I needed. When are we going back?

I’m getting ready for my trip to Paris in September. I think God is preparing me for the abundance of the writing life I will experience on my Paris tour.

All photos are credited to Ken Booth. He's also good at capturing beauty through the lens on his digital camera.

May all beings be happy. May all beings be well. May all beings be free from suffering.

I think the best antidote to pain and loss is beauty. Be in and with beauty as much as you possibly can — whether it be the natural beauty of the outdoors or the beauty of an innocent child, puppy or elder.

In Co-Active Coaching, the relationship is an alliance between two equals for the purpose of meeting the client's needs. The client plays an important role in declaring how they want to be coached. Clients don't buy a package program. Coaching is not merely about getting things done. It's about living a life of balance based on your true values and living in faith versus fear. Call for a sample coaching session this month. Don't wait another minute.

Love and blessings till we meet again.

Pauline