Stepping Up: 33. Ten (More) Things I Learned in my 59th Year -- Part 2

1.    Giving is so much more significant than receiving.
2.    Being aware, in the moment, is a great gift you can give yourself.
3.    Become aware that you are aware, and you grow by leaps and bounds.
4.   Change is a constant. It promotes good health to meet and greet it enthusiastically.
5.    Begin each meal or snack with some protein. It sets internal processes in motion to best
       assimilate, use properly, and eliminate the food that follows.
6.    Do-overs are entirely possible.
7.    We were created to be creators. It's who we are.
8.    Four reactions to severe catastrophe observed in the remains at Pompei:
     a. Cower in fear
     b.  Lie down in resignation
       c. Protect what I have
       d. Rely on faith
     In those moments, relying on faith provided peace and hope.
       In all moments, we can rely on faith to accept and give love.
9.    Kenneth Kole makes the most comfortable high heels ever, in a line called "Gentle Souls."
10.  There's no place for fear in my life. It's a thief, a deceiver, and it can creep in subtlely. Best
       to dwell on its opposite--love. God is love.

Part 1 began,
"Five days before my 60th birthday, I reached the summit I dreamed of this whole last year."

Part 2 begins as Carol, Peg and I continue to find our footing, climbing with heightened senses. We are visually inspired to take in the breathtaking scenery, yet at the same time, challenged to scrutinize every inch of snow-covered ground in our path. We're in awe of instant decisions we make with each step. We take into account the incline, the imagined terrain beneath the snow, the calculated slipperiness, and our ability to hoist ourselves to each chosen spot of ground. It all happens quickly and we are intensely aware of each action step, in the moment.

From time to time we cross paths with descending climbers and learn just how encouraging, or discouraging, a word can be. We ask, "How much farther?...Did you make it to the top?...What's it like at the summit?" Early on, a couple tells us they couldn't make it to the top, had to turn around.

A bit further, a father and son team advises, "Take your time. There's no rush. You'll make it!"

The farther we climb, the news becomes more and more confusing. "About 15 minutes," claims one.

Then the next, "About another hour and a half!"   We wonder if we're all on the same trail.

We pass a father and his adult daughters resting on a strategically placed log. I think it shows our strength that we can continue on past them, at the same time I wish they weren't sitting there, so we could!

I call down to the lodge where Harold, Melinda, Michael, Jackie and Ed, surrounded by mountains, are basking in the sunshine on the deck. "Jackie, we're doing fine, but we'll probably be later than I expected. Please tell the restaurant staff to move our lunch reservation to a later time." I'm aware of my breathing as we exchange messages. They are fully enjoying their morning in this crisp, clean sunshine, solving all the world's problems as they share this time together. I think of how important every friend and family member is, for exactly who they are. Some walk with, some talk to, some inspire, some make us laugh, some console, some support quietly, some enjoy being along for the ride...and it all makes me happy...so grateful for each one in my life.

The terrain is changing...we head into a more wooded area for awhile, relieved on this stretch without too much incline. Now it's changing again. Seems like the final stretch. I call out as loudly as I can in the direction of the summit, "Matt, can you hear us? We're on our way! Almost there!" But, no answer. Could we be further away than we thought?

The altitude is a factor now, concentrating on breathing as we reach further and higher with each step, continuing on our most steep ascent of the day. Though I want nothing more than to reach the top, I pause for a moment to snap a photo looking to my right and down...down, down, down to where we've come from.

It's an arm-length away, the huge 15,000 ft. drop-off. However, except for this second I take for the photo-op, it's not what I dwell on. Instead, this whole climb is a lesson in determination and drive, focusing on one step at a time...being intensely aware of the exact moment of life I'm involved in...all senses heightened to make the best decisions, one step at a time to get to the top of this mountain...the top excruciatingly within reach, but challengingly out of reach.

Mustering everything, pulling together every moment of the year's preparation into my movements, into my breath...in and out...labored, but not hurting, each step up is a step closer.

We really know this is it now. Calling out one more time..."Matt! Harold! We're almost there! Can you hear us?"

The trail is curving around the mountain-top...must be at such an angle our voices don't carry to them. But we continue on, knowing, having faith, this is it, we're about to be there...the steps I'd imagined taking all year are just in front of me.

Then I see Julie peeking over the edge, then Patty, Gabrielle, then Rachel...Leslie...I keep climbing...

Carol's there first. Now I break onto the open flat area of the summit, into the waiting applause, arms, smiles, cheers...

"Peggy," I turn to welcome her to the scene, "We made it!"

I will never forget the feeling of these last few seconds. At the top we experience an openness with everyone and everything. The air is unbelievable and the view is incredible, but the look on each face is what's written on my heart.

Truly a golden moment--a creation conceived in love, dreamed of in hope, carried out in faith, and experienced this one unique moment in time, with each other.

Part 2, the final record, ends relating that the exhileration of our descent is made possible ONLY because the young people give us their walking sticks which they have found on their ascent. With our sticks in hand, we sail down the mountain...living the emotions I prayed months ago...

I feel accomplishment and satisfaction in our descent.
I feel connected,
sharing spirits,
positively mingled with a presence so much greater than any one of us,
or all of us together--
which has granted us this gift.
I feel every degree in each of our lives which led us to the climb,
every beautiful moment, up and down its paths,
and
our continued fellowship at journey's end.
Breathing in,
I feel the awe of our time together,
Releasing,
Thankful,
Thank you.