Side by Side

Life's road is a beautiful thing --- a true friend by your side -- makes it even more beautiful --- more meaningful.
I compare my life to a dusty trail --- a trail that goes on and on.  A trail that is straight -- that climbs high -- that dips down --- down into valleys -- before climbing back up again.

My husband and I are just home from a vacation that was full to the top --- full of personal lessons --- lessons that taught me how I should be to everyone who walks this "dusty trail we call life"  They were simple little lessons I learned --- there on those back trails --- lessons I learned from my best friend --- my husband.

We packed our tent, our hiking shoes and our bikes and went to the Black Hills of SD.  Our intentions were to camp and walk and bike the back trails --- witch we did.  There on those trails I learned some things about myself.  I learned how much I depend upon the kind words --- encouraging words --- acts of kindness --- positive talk --- of a friend.  I learned that these words and actions do a lot toward how I feel about myself.  I learned that I have a choice -- on what type of friend I am to another.  Do I encourage or discourage?  Do I love --- do I truly rejoice when they rejoice?

Some of the trails we walked were through the coolness of lush grass -- through huge pines -- over rushing streams --- up small hills and back down again into the valley.  Just walking along --- talking some -- but mainly enjoying the quiet together.  I walked behind -- he lead the way.  Once in a while he would pick a flower and hand it to me --- or point out a deer off in the distance -- or just wait for me to caught up.  We would come to a stream --- bubbling over the rocks.  How to get across?  Walk on a log laid across it.  He would be waiting there --- at the edge of that stream --- I would put my hand on his shoulder --- and we would walk together across that little stream of rushing water. 

Sometimes --- no most of the time --- it is the little things we do that means so much to another.  a single word of encouragement --- a single flower --- meant just for you --- a hug when you need it the most.

Another trail we walked was quite the opposite.  This trail was very much "out of my comfort zone" -- but my reward was the greatest at the end of this difficult trail.  I leaned the hardest on the words of my friend as I climbed this trail.

We drove through beautiful mountain country on our way to the trail head.  Huge white rock -- shooting their needle tops skyward.  Up -- up we drove around needle point bends -- through a tunnel -- up and up until we came to a beautiful lake --- clear as crystal.  I looked beyond that beautiful lake to our destination --- that white bare mountain top.  so high in the sky.  The highest point east of the Rocky mountains.

Do you know the feeling of defeat if you fail?  Do you know the feeling of pure anxiety when you are leaving your comfort zone?  Do you know the fear of a million "what ifs" running wild through your mind?  Do you know the pounding of your heart --- even before you start to climb?  Have you ever tried not to listen to the terrible statement " you can't do this --- and you know it?"  Well --- if you have had all the above -- you will know how I felt --- standing at the foot of that mountain.

"How long does this hike take?"  I nervously ask a lady who had just came down.  "It took us three hours --- and a hard three hours." 

Three hours --- I think --- three hard hours??!!!  Oh how I wished we were where these people were.  Already down!!!  But you have to DO something to get the reward --- so ---

Quietly he hands me my walking stick --- " You can do this" he tells me.  " I'll be right here beside you --- You NEED to do this --- for YOU!"  "Come on"  So --- we are off.  Oh how I wanted to do this -- do it for HIM.

For the first few miles --- walking was easy -- a steady climb --- up some --- then straightening out --- a bit down and then back up.  The sun was under a light cloud -- so it was pleasant.  We had our water with us --- you can bet I made sure of that --- another anxiety thought!!

We climbed --- and climbed --- and climbed -- he in front and me behind -- quite a bit behind sometimes. He would stop and wait for me.   "I need a drink" he would say.  "Do you?"  About half way up my legs were getting real sore and tired.  "Lets stretch a bit" he said.  "Your doing great --- did you know that?"

Somewhere up there we met someone coming down. "Are we about there" I asked.  A little laugh and then the answer---"Oh you have about a hours climb"

"What --- another whole hour?"  "Oh Stan I can't"   "I'm pretty sure it won't take us another hour"  he says looking at his time.--- I'd say another 45 minutes."  Wow -- big difference.  "You can do this --- I know you can"

We have climbed a bit further and we came to a stand.  A sign read -- "you need to register here --- if you don't there could be a $100.00 fine. Leave the white slip in the box and tie the brown one on your belt!!  --- Oh --- this sounds bad!!!---really serious --- tie the brown one to your belt?? -- why --- maybe we should turn around  --- but if we did I would fail once again  -- no I can do this!!!  I will do this!!!  He kind of laughs and ties it to his belt.  He starts walking --- as if he didn't see that sign ---

On we climb -- drinking water --- me clearing my throat a hundred times -- one foot at a time on--and on.  It is getting quite steep now.  The ole heart is thumping pretty good --- breathing is getting heavy -- but up we go -- over rocks and through gravel.  Tired and hot. We are climbing steps now -- straight up -- Legs are getting heavy --- one step at a time --- can't turn around now --- only a few more steps --- I see it --- I'm going to make it --- I am!!!

As we stand on top of that mountain together --- 7,242 feet above everywhere --- that one that two hours ago --- and 1,097 feet ago --- I thought I would never be able to complete --- tears of joy slid down my cheeks.  I had done it --- I had overcome my horrible fears --- all my "what ifs" --- that never happened --- my pounding heart didn't kill me --- but most of all I had found my self confidence!!!

He was so proud of me --- he rejoiced with me ---he felt my happiness.  I thought I would explode with joy --- I done something I had never done before!!! 

As we walked back down that mountain --- I knew I wanted to be to others -- like my husband was to me today.  I want to hold someone's hand as they experience the valleys and the mountain tops. I want to see the smallest effort to success in my friend --- causing a smile to come on their excited face. I want to feel the struggles of those walking beside me. I want to give an encouraging word to a stranger on the street. I want to smile at ones I meet -- give a pat on the back -- a hug -- a "you can do it" --or a "I'm proud of you"  I want to be completely happy for them --- when they find their happiness. 

After all --- life is a trail --- we all must climb --- with its mountain tops and valleys --- and we are our brothers keeper.

Thank you dear friend --- my husband -- you gave me the best gift a man can give --- you gave me courage to overcome my fears that beautiful day there on the side of that mountain -- you gave me my self confidence.  Thank you for walking beside me.