I believe that this life is not made up of just the “good”,
but in order for us to live a life much richer we need to experience and
embrace hardships. We need to be hard-pressed and challenged, so when our lives
are filled with enjoyment we can have a complete understanding of how “good”
these precious moments truly are. Without persevering through adversity one can’t have a
complete grasp of self identity. How can you know who you are when you have
never been pushed to show your true colors? Without that pressure you are
living a life that is a half painted masterpiece.
Yesterday’s hike presented us with such a challenge, and
through it we unlocked an aspect of our friendship we hadn’t yet found the key
to. We started off hiking Mt. Waumbek, a 7.2 mile hike, before the sun’s warmth
had a chance to grace our land. Although the early start left me a little
bogged, Cullen didn’t seem to be influenced at all. His pace ensured mine did
not falter. As we reached the summit, the air still filled with the mornings
haze, we quickly shared a snack and then we were off. Both our hike up and descent
went quicker than I had originally thought. By 9:15 am we were back at the car
restocking for our second hike of the day up Wildcat Mountain; a hike that
would open my eyes.
Between the 2:30am early wake and the trek up Waumbek, my
body’s strength depleted quicker than I had anticipated. Strangely enough I
found myself struggling up the fair elevation gain Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail
had to offer, which would only give way to the remorseless Wildcat Ridge Trail.
With each step I felt my body grow weaker.
I did my best to stay fueled up by continuously snacking on
carbs and fatty foods and drinking water, but nothing did the trick. Due to the
snow and cold, Cullen has to keep moving in order to regulate normal body temperature.
Min Pins do not take to the cold like other thicker furred breeds. This means
my rests are far and few. I only get to stop for a moment or two, just long
enough to catch my breath.
Up until the Wildcat Ridge Trail junction the track was
packed down well from previous folks snowshoeing. Their prints left us with a
well groomed trail to hike. However, from the very start of Wildcat Ridge Trail
it was a completely different story. We were left to follow one set of boot
prints and, ironically, one set of paw prints. These paw prints being obviously
much larger than Cullen’s.
The deep and air-soft white powder drained me rapidly. The
snow caved on every step, which on such a dramatic incline made it almost
impossible. I felt my body’s strength bottom out, and I was no longer continuing
with the use of muscle energy. I found myself running off the will to succeed.
The need to accomplish kept one foot in front of the other. However, in such a
challenge that same will and need is not always enough. When every step gets
harder than the last and every thought is of quitting, you need more. Cullen’s
friendship and determination fulfilled that need.
He would continuously turn back to check in on me. Without
the need of verbal communication his eyes told me everything I needed. That’s the
beauty of friendship. When one is weak the other is strong, and will lead you
through privation, all without having to speak one word. The purity in the eyes
can give you all the motivation and strength needed to overcome. For that is
exactly what he had done on the mountain. That day his fortitude would lead me over
6 peaks (2 being 4k), through 18miles, and 10 hours of hiking.
I know Cullen’s physical strength will diminish, and his
time on this planet will someday come to an end, but the lessons he has taught
will last well beyond my days.
Life isn’t meant to be easy. We all must experience
adversity, and at times you find each step getting harder than the last, but
trust that a true friend will be there by your side. This friend will push you
and provide you with the energy and strength your body lacks. Today’s pain
shines new light on tomorrow’s pleasures, and helps define who we are. This
pain will help reveal what is truly important in life. Never let these moments
pass by, but grasp them with both hands and hold tight; For they are what makes
us who we are.
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Thanks for trailing Cullen’s Travels!
Thanks for the adventure. Being disabled things like this are wonderful.
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