Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. I’m only human, and though I’m halfway through my 40th year in this world, I’m still trying to figure things out. I wouldn’t say that I am a religious individual, but I am - without question - spiritual. A few nights ago, as I laid in bed meditating, I heard myself ask for a sign. What for? It’s complicated. As far as I can recall, I’ve been searching for signs that let me know I am headed in the right direction. The sign I thought I had initially received was not a sign at all. However, that wasn’t clear to me until I had already succumbed to overthinking and regret. Like I said, I’m only human. 

The real sign came to me when I least expected it. It was after seven in the evening, the birds were singing their goodnights to the day, raindrops fell on a covered deck and the sky was decorated in an arc of multicolored phenomenon. As light from the sun reflects through the atmosphere and comes in contact with raindrops, it disperses the light and reflects it back toward your eyes. The result is a beautiful display of vibrant colors and inspiration. When the light hits the droplets just right, it can be reflected twice; causing what we see with the naked eye as a double rainbow. Though, if you take notice, the second rainbow is always faint and the colors are reversed. Like a reflection. Sometimes, it can take a little extra intention to notice a second rainbow, but it is always well worth the effort. 

Did you know that it is rare to see a morning rainbow in Colorado? The reason being is that most of our rain showers occur in the afternoon and evening. Rain is an essential part of the rainbow process. Have you seen a rainbow lately? Was the sun to your back? Ever wonder what’s on the other side? Is there another side? What about when rainbows form on clouds? Those are pretty amazing. Should you ever summit during a hike and it is raining, I am going to highly recommend you wait for the chance to see a rainbow. Rainbows on their own are a stunning marvel, but to witness one form across the sky over the Rocky Mountains is beyond words.

It’s challenging for me to explain the reasons why I look for signs. I think to some degree it gives me confidence. Living in Colorado is difficult to not have a good sign. Everything that surrounds me here always appears so seamless. Which is how I know that I am where I’m meant to be. So, what was my sign? My own life. All of the answers were right in front of me, inside me and all around me. The multitude of colors painting the canvas of my life are doing their job and I never needed a sign. The rainbow was simply a reminder of that. 

(Originally published in the June 25, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)