The Long Hard Climb

The Long Hard Climb
            Last week I set aside work and special needs mom duties to travel and see my own mother. My severely autistic son requires high intensity supervision, so leaving for even a short time triggers anxiety and guilt. My husband and I take turns so the other can visit extended family, but several years usually elapse between visits.
            With a full day of air travel on either end, I spent three days decked out in Covid protective gear in the quarantine section of a health care facility with my mom.
            Like most of us, my mom has experienced some long, hard stretches of life. Having to spend time in a hospital for health issues has intensified the simple desire to get back to her own home, despite challenges in navigating daily life.
            We see a daunting, steep stretch of trail ahead. We may breathe a deep sigh before starting, but we keep marching forward. Why? Partly because that’s the only option life presents us. And partly because the grueling stretches of life sometimes reveal great rewards. We reach a resting spot, take in the scenery, and see how far we’ve come, and what a beautiful view there is.
            May we all find simple joys in our life endeavors. For some of us, the humble goal of seeing our distant loved ones, and helping them find their way home, is as big an accomplishment as someone else’s mountain climbing triumph.
            This week’s HikingAutism Hike Notes from the archives is Carson Falls, one of several Marin County waterfalls which offer the reward of beauty after a rigorous hike.
 
This week’s Hike Notes from the Archives:
(Original Hike Notes 133): Carson Falls
 
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