I received a challenge.
And I accepted it full heartedly
Still I look up at it
And I freak out a little
The high rock wall tries to intimidate me
But I remind myself that I can do this.
I rub my hands with the chalk that's strapped to my waist
I take a deep breath as I close my eyes
Finding my inner peace...
And ask myself 'ready?'
I'm so ready.
I say "On belay"
And in response I hear "belay is on"
I take another breath and smile as I take on the challenge
One step up
One handhold grip
One place to set my foot
Another place to set my other foot
Repeat a couple more times
Stop
Look around
I smile once again and think 'I could do this all day, the view's worth the aches I'll have later'
Stem your way up here
Go a couple more steps
What do I do from here?
I'm not sure.
I hear a suggestion down below
"Now 'seal' your way up!"
'Here goes nothing' I think
Palm's down
Push
You made it.
You made it to the top
"Take" I say
I sit in my harness
And bask in sunlight
The gift of such endless beauty all around me
How is it I was granted permission to see this?
The view just simply breathtaking
I knew I could do it
I knew I could make it to the top
I look around and feel the gentle heat of the sun as its rays softly hit my cheek
The wind whispers in my ear
I close my eyes and smile
I'm reminded of Pocahontas when she says
"can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?"
I say to myself 'yes I can'
Knowing others are waiting for me I open my eyes and smile gratefully
Grateful I am for the ability to do this
To know people who invite me to come along with them
I yell "I'm coming down now!"
And hear softly "okay I've got you, head on down"
For the first time I realize how high up the rock wall I am
I have no fear
I slowly make my way down
One step at a time
I find solid ground and know I'm down all the way
I turn around and see the others as they congratulate me on my success
I smile in thanks.
It was a great adventure
A great time doing something I love
The great embrace of a friend’s company welcomes me
The endless gift that is mother nature
I know for sure that nothing will ever beat that feeling
Nothing at all
