Waiting for That Special Moment

Waiting for That Special Moment
            “This shirt was expensive, but I just had to have it. I’ll save it for a special occasion.”
            “These dishes were a treasured gift from my grandma. I’m waiting for a really meaningful event to use them.”
            “This top-of-the-line power tool was a big investment. I’ll only use it for really important projects.”
            Two months, two years, even twenty years later, the shirt hangs unused in the closet, grandma’s dinner set is hidden in the back of the “special dishes” cupboard, and the expensive tool is collecting dust in the garage behind piles of clutter.
            Where does the time go? When is the special occasion, the meaningful event, the important project?
            I’ve seen poignant messages about this countless times. The older I get, the more strongly it rings true.
            Life brings surprises. We can’t know how many chances we’ll have to see people we love, when we’ll have the health or wealth to travel, or how many opportunities we’ll have to enjoy life with a sense of freedom and abandon.
            Wear those special earrings. Read that book you’ve been saving as a treat. Wear the cool sneakers you saved up for. Drink the extravagant tea or wine you’ve been saving. Wear that vintage jacket your uncle passed down to you.
            Hiking destinations with cool names become these “save it for a special day” items for me. (How cool must a place called “Pirate’s Cove” be?) Hidden Lake was on my “badass hike name” list. It waited longer on my list of hikes to post on HikingAutism than it did on my hike wish list, but here it is.
            Call that old friend you’ve been meaning to call.
            Tell a loved one that you love them.
            Keep putting one foot forward.
            This week’s Hike Notes, Hidden Lake from Lake Lagunitas, takes readers on a lovely hike from one of the treasures of the Mt. Tam Watershed through redwoods, high ridge views, and over wooden footbridges to the quiet pond that is Hidden Lake.
            Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area (was Quick View Hike List) page. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact.
            Check the Home page for the broader background story. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photo galleries at the bottom of each hike page! Please feel free to share, and follow on Twitter at @HikingAutism
New this week:
Hike Notes 144: Hidden Lake from Lake Lagunitas