We have been in Arkansas this week on vacation. It has been a lovely week of rejuvenation and exploration. Yesterday, we visited Devil’s Den State Park for some hiking. We hiked up to a cave which I explored partially as the boys, much more adventurous than I, explored in detail. It was one of those “I could have never done this in my former life, but wish I could have” moments.The hike was not easy. I am sure it wasn’t the most difficult either, but with three 13-year-old boys we had to explore every cavern, crevice and waterfall on and off the beaten path. At one point the only way to exit the crevasse was to climb a tree vine. My son said, “Mom you shouldn’t go that way, you won’t be able to get out. You’re not strong enough.” He didn’t realize “them's fightin’ words”. As if I were 13 years old myself, I considered his words a dare. Now, I HAD to not only attempt, but also succeed; not only make it up the crevasse, but also make it look effortless. Why, you say? Because, my tender pride had been called into question and because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. Waiving to my son from atop the chasm was one of the high points of my vacation.
He looked up with shock and asserted, “Mom, I never even thought you could do that
.”With a smile of total satisfaction, bravely concealing my labored breaths and sore knees I retorted, “Ah, it wasn’t that big of a deal,”
The more I thought about it, the more I realized just how big a deal this feat was for me to accomplish. Living most of my adult life overweight and sedentary, such a climb would have been impossible for me to achieve before. Not only that, I wouldn’t even have had the desire to attempt it. Thankful that I chose this second chance, I relish these small victories as a banner of the choices I have made.
6 comments:
Good for Marsha. Glad you enjoyed it!
ahhhh....that should be "Good for *you* Marsha"....
Good on you!
Not such a small victory- your physical accomplishment, your acknowledgement of same, your example to your children and their peers, and the inspiration to the rest of us- sounds like a pretty big accomplishment to me!
Thank you for sharing that story, dear!
I must say that the little, physical improvements to my daily living are so much more satisfying than big changes on the scale ... moving a 50# bag of driveway salt, lifting my heavy carry-on to the overhead compartment, walking up stairs without getting winded ... that's all major stuff to me!
I hope to some day give hiking a try. And skydiving. And snorkeling. And a zillion other things I wouldn't have dreamed of doing when I was a less fit version of myself!
LOL! Don't let them know about the icepacks and bottles of Advil either. Good for you!
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