I received a challenge.

And I accepted it full heartedly

Still I look up at it

And I freak out a little

The high rock wall tries to intimidate me

But I remind myself that I can do this.

I rub my hands with the chalk that's strapped to my waist

I take a deep breath as I close my eyes

Finding my inner peace...

And ask myself 'ready?'

I'm so ready.

I say "On belay"

And in response I hear "belay is on"

I take another breath and smile as I take on the challenge

One step up

One handhold grip

One place to set my foot

Another place to set my other foot

Repeat a couple more times

Stop

Look around

I smile once again and think 'I could do this all day, the view's worth the aches I'll have later'

Stem your way up here

Go a couple more steps

What do I do from here?

I'm not sure.

I hear a suggestion down below

"Now 'seal' your way up!"

'Here goes nothing' I think

Palm's down

Push

You made it.

You made it to the top

"Take" I say

I sit in my harness

And bask in sunlight

The gift of such endless beauty all around me

How is it I was granted permission to see this?

The view just simply breathtaking

I knew I could do it

I knew I could make it to the top

I look around and feel the gentle heat of the sun as its rays softly hit my cheek

The wind whispers in my ear

I close my eyes and smile

I'm reminded of Pocahontas when she says

"can you sing with all the voices of the mountain?"

I say to myself 'yes I can'

Knowing others are waiting for me I open my eyes and smile gratefully

Grateful I am for the ability to do this

To know people who invite me to come along with them

I yell "I'm coming down now!"

And hear softly "okay I've got you, head on down"

For the first time I realize how high up the rock wall I am

I have no fear

I slowly make my way down

One step at a time

I find solid ground and know I'm down all the way

I turn around and see the others as they congratulate me on my success

I smile in thanks.

It was a great adventure

A great time doing something I love

The great embrace of a friend’s company welcomes me

The endless gift that is mother nature

I know for sure that nothing will ever beat that feeling

Nothing at all