I glanced
down at the piece of paper that listed highlights and important information for
the hike we were on, and scanned quickly for the rating of the trail that was
taking us further up the mountain pass just outside Aspen. Immediately I was comforted. Next to the
words "hike rating" was the word that I was looking for: difficult.
As my
calves cramped from maneuvering the steep switchbacks (who in their right mind
took this hike in the first place?) and as my heart pounded and I gasped for
breath at nearly 12,000 feet (Dallas sits at a mere 463 feet above sea level)
and as my skin seemed to shrink on my bones from losing every ounce of its moisture
(I will never, ever complain about Dallas's humidity again), I felt immediately
comforted by the confirmation that this was not considered a simple stroll. It
was difficult.
And here's
what else that was affirming: I knew this pass had been rated by people who
actually hike. Had the information sheet been written by a person who doesn't
regularly experience a challenging workout, I would not have been so reassured.
But this was information that was issued by locals, maybe even experts, providing
even further legitimacy to the claim. Their
rating of the excursion proved to me that I wasn't being a whiney baby. This was difficult.
As we slid
(not literally, but nearly) back down the mountain pass, I thought about the
reward at the end of our hike - the turquoise waters of the beautiful CathedralLake. Was it worth the pain and
suffering? No. Not really. It was pretty and all. But I can't say I thought
that putting my life on the line was worth the view. And if I had known then
that I would barely be able to crawl out of bed the next morning I would have said
CathedralLake was way overblown. However, what did
make the hike rewarding was the fact that I survived it.
Today, as
you sit reading this, some of you are grasping for air and looking for
comforting confirmation that you're not alone on your journey. Others of you have
been this way before and are experts at maneuvering difficult passages. You
have trekked your way through tough times; you have faced fear; you have cried,
doubted, and been on the verge of turning back. Some of you have stumbled or tripped
on the way but all of you have made your way to the top of the pass.
I remind
you of this because today, you might be the comforting confirmation to another
who is on your same hike. One who needs to know that she is not alone; that the
trip will eventually come to an end and like you, she will survive.
Sometimes
the most comforting confirmation is just knowing that someone else knows that
yes, indeed, this is difficult.
Your
mountain hiker,
Ellen
Posted by Ellen on September 23, 2009 10:48 AM
| Category: A Note from Ellen
Ellen, Hey this is Ann - The Ann that was married to Dana? I love your website and I can't wait to read your book. As you probably know, I have been thru my own battle with addiction and mental illness. They are both under control now, but it was a very long and exhausting battle. I can relate to what you have been thru with Scott. I pray that he is able to maintain his sobriety. He needs your support as well as that if the rest of the family.
You are a very inspirational person and I always look forward to reading your latest posting on the website. I was sorry to hear about Steve's dad. He sounds like a very dear man. And you have a grand daughter now?!? What a blassed gift. I hope everyone is doing well. I also encourage Leslie & Rachel to read your website. They are very, very busy with their schools activites and can gain alot of insight from you. Can't wait to read the book! Ann
