I Can Do Hard Things

From the Top of the Y

Up Rock Canyon

Upper Falls

Field of white at the Y

Well I did it.

I hiked "The Y"

I know, I know. Nine years you've lived here Teresa, and this is the first time?

Yep.

The last few weekends were spent with trips up Rock Canyon.

Upper Falls.

Bridal Veil.

Sundance.

So why not the "Y"?

As The Scoutmaster and I laid in bed this morning, around 8 or so, I rolled over and said, "Hey, wanna hike the Y this morning."

"With the kids? No."

He's been up a few times before.

"Oh, come on. It's 'sposed to be a high of 72 today. It's perfect. When is it EVER in the 70's in August in Utah? AND if we hurry we can beat the sun."

"hmmmm"

"Come on. Let's just try. So what if we don't make it all the way up."

With that, we were out of bed. I was making the kids take votes on who wanted to give it a try. Ruby voted, "NO. I need someone to babysit me. I don't want to go." Which of course only makes me more determined to get her little can out of bed.

So what if I let her wear a skirt to get her to comply? Worked didn't it?

I figure if I start now on her, by the time she's 18 she'll be the girl everyone ones to date, many thanks to her mother, that made her hike and push herself. Or at least that's my plan. Too bad she can't date 'til she's 21. Sorry Roo.

Over these past few adventures, Peter and I have gotten our roles down pretty well. He carries Chubbers in our trusty backpack, and I carry the water, snacks, etc. and look out for Roo. She holds my hand the whole way, and the baby rocks around trying to see in front of him. Works pretty well. The boys keep our spirits up, look out for wild life, collect rocks, cheer us on, and are our overall pace setters. (believe me, they're hard to keep up with - they rarely break a sweat)

I spend most of these days involved in conversations such as this, "Mom, it's toooo haaaard." "I know it is Roo. But you can do hard things. WE can do hard things. I think it's VERY hard, but I'm doing it and so can you." "Alright" she replies in her little, tired voice. Then I try to think of a song to distract her. ("No SINGING!!!" - she 'politely' says. She really is Olivia The Pig.)

I have yet to see her NOT enjoy the top of our hikes. Last week, she had a fit about having to leave the most beautiful, isolated water fall in the canyon- yet, earlier, stopped to cry on the way up. Today, on the way down, I heard her singing a little tune she made up that went like this, "I am brave and I can do hard things."

Oh, my heart was full of joy. Roo, you are brave and you can do hard things! That's what this life is about. If only my children can learn from these family outings about life. That life is terribly hard, and honestly - mostly up hill - but the veiw from the top is breathtaking. We are always SO excited to reach the top. Ruby ran the last 25 yards today. We LOVE finishing the challenge.

I was so proud of everyone today. I think we all thought that we probably wouldn't make it all the way up. Four little kids and two not-so-in-shape parents was a pretty lofty bunch to climb up the side of a mountain. But we did it.

We can do hard things.

It's hard to do what you know is right. It's hard to keep doing things we don't want to, but know we should. But the reward at the 'top' is ALWAYS worth it.

I hope you find your 'hill' to climb this week. I hope it's hard, and I hope you love every second from the top. I know I'll be cheering you on. As Samuel said getting into the truck at the end of the hike, "This was the best hike of my life." Maybe I can learn to make each 'hike' or even every hard day, the best hike of my life, too.