What animal represents RelationshipsAreAllWeGot.com? It’s summer 2017 and I’m searching.

Marmots find my son Nathan and I on a mountain hike in Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming. This adorable family eats, runs and suns in a grassy alpine meadow.

Fuzzy whistles suddenly call from atop a large rock. Startled, we run into each other looking to see who screamed.

Over there! She (or he, we can’t tell) is whistling at us!

OK, actually this “whistle-pig”
-as they are known-
is whistling
about us.

The rest of these little critters are listening. Obviously, they understand the shrill communication.

Those closest to us become furry torpedoes in retreat. Others warily watch us like garden statues strewn about in the thick green-yellow grass.

Hoary Marmot. [Photo by Alex Vanderstuyf, NPS]

These marmots insist on becoming our mascots. They show us the key ingredient to community relationships.

If marmots chatter too much or are self-absorbed in a delicious crunchy lunch, they’d miss warnings.

[Photo by PD photo]

This community is about story-listening.

Yes, we believe in story-telling. But stories alone don’t change the world. Stories are just noise, until someone listens.

Listening changes the world. Hearing inspiring stories encourages us into healthy relationships. Together, we’ll make a better world–one relationship at a time.

If we listen.

On another Tetons National Park mountain hike, we meet a marmot.  Nathan stops, smiling big. The marmot moves closer.

The critter respects us. We respect him and step aside. He waddles by.

We stand stunned by this surprise relationship. We are changed. More aware. More connected to everything. We want more!

Laughter and anticipation energize our steps down the trail. A three-foot yellow dandelion gains our admiration. We encourage hikers climbing the mountain. A leaf-munching moose demands our long silent curiosity. 

armot in Rocky Mountain National Park by Ann Schonlau, NPS

Some days, we journey stressed and self-focused. Feet hurt. Ears hear mean words.  Eyes see storm clouds. Heart feels pain. Soul is lonely.

Then life stops us with a reality check…

A marmot waddles by.
A painted sky amazes.
Children’s laughter uplifts.
An idea inspires.
A stranger encourages.

We aren’t alone.

We’re guests in this world. Created for healthy relationships with marmots. And others. And ourselves. And God.

Yup, relationships are all we got.