Mother's Day Remembrance

Mother’s Day Remembrance
            Top three happiest days of my life: Wedding day. Birth of first child. Mother’s Day, May 13, 2012.
            My younger son’s severe sensory and neurological challenges had reached almost insurmountable levels. He could barely get out of the house, and we were trapped with him.
            A gifted young “autism whisperer” appeared at our darkest time. His devoted efforts helped get our son back out to familiar places.
            My impossible Mother’s Day dream six years ago: Take my son someplace new. Hiking. On a steep trail. To a beach below the Golden Gate Bridge.
            That day, my son, our helper and I braved steep cliffs to get to the trailhead and hike down to Kirby Cove. It was my holy grail of unreachable target destinations for years.
            Eyes closed, listening to the waves, I opened them to see my son patting sand around a white rose standing at my feet. A found flower on the beach. An artful nudge from our helper. A gift from my son.
            Getting my son to a new, challenging place was a huge turning point. We felt new hope. With help, life could get better.
            Less than two weeks later, our helper was gone. Stolen from the earth by an undetected heart problem.
            Our helper’s legacy lives on as our son forges ahead. His invisible footprints accompany us.
            For Mother’s Day, I thank all the devoted people who work to make my and other families’ lives easier. Hugs to all the other moms (and mother figures in whatever form) out there trying their best!
            This week’s Hike Notes are about the iconic Kirby Cove, another example of “so near and yet so far.”
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos!
Hike Notes 1: Marin Headlands Visitor Center to Rodeo Beach
Hike Notes 2: Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
Hike Notes 3: Lands End Lookout to Mile Rock Beach
Hike Notes 4: Muir Beach to Pirates Cove
Hike Notes 5: Devil’s Slide
Hike Notes 6: Wave Organ- Crissy Field
Hike Notes 7: Tennessee Valley
Hike Notes 8: Fort Funston Beach Walk
Hike Notes 9: Milagra Ridge
Hike Notes 10: Bon Tempe Lake Loop
Hike Notes 11: Kirby Cove