#2 - Pee on the Tree
Updated: Oct 23, 2022
Kenneth Munyer Photography LLC
I was 9 years young when my family first visited Sequoia National Park.
One morning, I went hiking with mom. She brought her old film camera to photograph the Marmots (cute furry bite-sized baby dogs that live in holes)
At one point, I realized I had to piss. She was taking her sweet time hunting the football-shaped mini dogs (why did you make them, Lord?). For some reason, I decided to hold it in and wait until I got to a proper toilet (bougie much?). However, the Universe conspired against my bladder - she found one and conducted a mini photo session with it.
"Chin-up. Good. Now tilt your head down a little bit...YES; Okay, now... big smile! NOICE! How about a fake laugh!?"
Just kidding. But for reals, I really had to pee.
"Screw this", I thought, as I started the hike back to camp.
A few minutes later, this massive deer pranced his Bambi-ass in front me. What is it with animals and trolling humans (I'm looking at you, squirrels)!? All the discipline required to hold in my urine nearly failed me as I cried all the way back to Dad.
Dad's like,
"Sup. What's wrong?"...
To which I frantically replied, "DUDE THIS DEER NEARLY KILLED ME AND I NEED TO PEE
@#$%gg@$#%^lol$%^".
Laughing at my the bewildered face of his eldest son "Why didn't you pee on a tree, bruh? Smh..."
To this day, I don't know why I didn't pee on the tree. Maybe it was just so I could write this blog post twenty years later. God has a sense of humor with stuff like this.
Intuitive Spiritual Side Note...
I decided to pray more about this memory since it was foundational for my journey as an artist and photographer. What came to mind was this - the Giant Redwoods, the Deer, my Mom with her camera...
The trees were massive, rooted deeply into the Earth. My son, set roots in Me and I will establish you...
The deer was free and sprinted with great ease. And I will direct your intensity...
Mom was immersed in joy in the Present Moment. Through Co-creation with Me in photography...
OK dude, get to the point
My mom was so immersed in her joy of photographing potato-puppies, that I nearly died (not really). But she was immersed and full of joy, which made a huge impression on me!
But that wasn't the secret sauce (I hope it's like Chick-fil-a sauce...)
...She found her joy living in the Sacrament of the Present Moment.
So guys, slow down and remember...
Pee on the tree.
Sincerely in Christ,
Ken "#$%^ deers" Munyer
A guy that loves Jesus Christ who maybe has too much ambition...trying to set the world ablaze for the Lord in my own little way.
