30 Days of Thanks: November 7

Today I'm thankful the simplicity of the day. We had simple morning of muffins and spinach eggs (eggs scrambled with lots of spinach), church, religious education, and then a hike. Our day ended with a new movie and takeout. It was a much needed reprieve from the usual chaos of our lives, and often our weekends. There were no protests about the hike, and I kept it simple, a few miles at the local state park with rolling hills and the river, familiar trails to us. As our activities resume and the chaos increases I like these opportunities to have simple time together.

There was lots of laughter, lots of smiles, and a sense of joy and peace as we walked. They made up stories, discussed in-depth about Marvel vs DC battles, and climbed anything and everything in sight. We found our family unit without the pressure of everything else, and came home refreshed and ready to brave the next week. I had wanted to drive to a hike that's an hour away, but I also knew we needed the night to sit and watch a movie and relax, so I switched gears to the local state park and I am glad I did. I do have requests to go to this new place to hike, so we will see if we can incorporate it soon. I am thankful and grateful for kids that enjoy the outdoors, and find joy in stomping through the leaves, climbing trees, and jumping rocks across the river. Each time we are out renews us individually and as a family. Blessed be.

30 Days of Thanks: November 6-9, 2020

This past weekend I had the opportunity to hike 30 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania with a new hiking partner. A woman I had met through social media, but never in person; a woman in many ways very different from me, but passionate about the outdoors and a love of hiking. There is much to be grateful for over these days that I was not writing.

Friday, November 6th I was thankful for the flexibility and privilege in my job to work a half day to leave early for my adventure. Not everyone has paid time off, or a manager who is gracious, flexible and understanding when you want to leave early so you can hike. I understand that I have these privileges, and it is a blessing.

Saturday, November 7th oh what a day. The weather was cool at the start and warmed quickly. My morning brightened by a text from S on the status of the election. How wonderful to be greeted with a text from a 13 year old. It is not something I would have likely done at her age. What a blessing she is in my life. My hiking partner and I covered 13 miles or so in the sunlight and then in the dark, lit by the light of her headlamp. What a day, we filtered water from a ground spring, hiked in a forest with the leaves crunching under our feet and rocks galore. We carried what we needed on our backs and the land provided the water. It was a beautiful experience. I am thankful for the strength in my body to hike.

Sunday, November 8th we had 14.2 miles to cover in a limited amount of time. It was hot, 37 degrees as we started our day at 8:15am and the temperature rose to 73 degrees by midday. The sun was shining and it was beautiful, but no clouds and no wind made for a hot November hike. The trail was relatively flat along the ridgetop, but rocky as always, water was scarce. On that day a trail angel provided water while at a road crossing, as well as companionable conversation. I became tired, frustrated at our schedule and progress as I watched us fall further behind. I had a deadline and it became very apparent in the early afternoon that we would not be making the time deadline. I am thankful for the grace that was granted to me to be gracious to my hiking partner. I knew that being angry and frustrated with her would not improve the situation, I knew that she was trying her best, and that her body was not cooperating as she wanted. so, instead of giving into those feelings I chose to extend grace. I am thankful that I chose grace. It was not that long ago that I would not have chosen to bestow that much grace, but I was able to let it go during the hike. I let myself vent at the end when we were all done and she was gone, but I was proud of my behavior.

On that Sunday I am also thankful for a ex-husband who also granted me grace for my incredibly late arrival. It was not that long ago that a lateness would have garnered anger and resentment, but with improved communication skills and my own healing journey it was a smooth transition.

In addition to the ex, I'm thankful for a friend who, on their birthday, drove food over to my that night for dinner. There I was, smelly, dirty, exhausted, and hungry and he arrived with 2 plates of food and cake. He stayed to keep me company while I ate and we celebrated with cake and beer.

Monday, November 9 I awoke home and clean in my own bed. A house, a roof over my head, running water, electricity, and options, glorious options of food. Such a contrast to the past 2 days of carrying all of my needs, yet both bring me love. Hiking provides me with peace that carries into my home life no other activity has ever done previously. I awoke thankful for the adventure, the opportunity to have the adventure and the courage to take and enjoy the adventure. 

Hiking is not always about the hike itself; it's the lessons I learn about myself along the miles and the emotional growth that I allow. I am thankful for the guidance that I have received from friends, family, and a fabulous therapist over the past few years that have awarded me with the courage to explore these adventures with a more open heart. Peace and grace to you all.

30 Days of Thanks: Day 21

Maybe it's a silly thing, but I'm thankful for all of the people that have encouraged my writing. I started this blog years ago when everyone kept asking how I managed it all: going to school, having babies and having a life. It's now become my personal outward journal to all of you. My goal of this blog is to share my stories in hopes that someone can relate to one of them, and know that regardless of the issue someone has been through something similar. I will not hide in shame or continually put up a false front. I did that for years and it dang near killed me. You can even see it in the history of the blog, where I stopped writing. It was too challenging to sit and write down, and I would have not been honest. So for all of you who encouraged my writing, and still do I thank you.

That being said you can follow the adventures of Leilah Grace here, and in a new spot. Check her out here on All Women All Trails. It was with your support that I even applied to write for this great site.