Not Just a Label

Not Just a Label
            “Autistic.” WHAM! With that one word applied to our son, the color of our world changed, and the once-solid ground under our feet felt like quicksand.
            It took a while for the dust to settle enough to feel that Sean was still Sean. Still a sweet boy who happened to have difficulties on countless fronts. Still unconditionally lovable. We now had an added framework for learning about his challenges.
            Labels might reflect something about us, but they do not define us.
            A diagnosis of physical or mental illness. One’s religion or political affiliation. A racial or gender related label. An addiction named out loud. None of us is wholly what one word represents.
            We are all many-faceted beings. Do not let a label scare yourself or others into thinking there is nothing else but that.
            On the scary word theme, if a road name could intimidate a driver, it would be Devil’s Slide. Like other misleadingly frightening labels, though, Devil’s Slide in this week’s Hike Notes is now a stunning pedestrians-only path allowing visitors to walk safely along a once dangerously beautiful road (now bypassed using much safer twin tunnels).
            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