The Bench at Willow Lake

Hiking is one of my favorite things to do! A few years ago, when my family was living in the Salt Lake area, I asked my teenage daughter to go hiking with me. She reluctantly agreed. Hiking is not her favorite thing to do, but she was kind enough to tag along. It was a beautiful afternoon in Big Cottonwood Canyon. We picked the Willow Lake Trail because it is relatively short and walks through the aspen trees. Because it was summer, the wildflowers were blooming and the sun was warm!

As we walked and talked along the trail, we found the sweetest wooden bench to rest on. It had beautiful carvings and a little box attached to the back of the bench. Inside the box was a notebook and pens. It was a travel log or guest book for hikers to sign. The man who placed the beautifully carved bench there had left a note at the beginning of the book. He explained that he had carved the bench for his wife. It was their favorite spot to sit and watch the sunset. Unfortunately, his wife had passed a few years before. He kept the bench there to visit and feel close to her again. He asked visitors to leave their names, where they were from, and a little message of joy to others passing along the trail. The man’s sweet message made my daughter and I cry! The notebook was filled with names of people from all over the country who had come to hike this little trail in the mountains. The messages from fellow hikers were simple, uplifting, and kind. It’s as though that bench was reminding us to enjoy and cherish those we love. How grateful I was that my daughter was there to read those messages with me that afternoon! That little bench opened the door for a beautiful conversation between me and my daughter.

We spoke about our favorite places, who we like to share them with, and what kind of love that couple must’ve had. Relationships like that are to be treasured. We felt so lucky to have had a glimpse into something so beautiful. I wonder how many hikers before us (and since then) have stopped to rest on that bench. The lessons from the bench are long-lasting and beautiful memories for me. Perhaps that’s why I love hiking and nature so much. You never know what kind of lessons are out there on the trail. You’re guaranteed to learn something if you hike long enough!