We all have mountains to climb, but not everyone is able and willing to face them. It takes strong will power to tackle seemingly impossible challenges. It’s a lot easier to just admit your task is bigger than you and not face it. Your will power to tackle tough obstacles is driven largely by your upbringing. If you grew up in a city, then you dealt with urban challenges like crime and public transportation. Growing up in the Adirondack’s forced me to adapt to all kinds of actual mountains knowing full well they weren’t moving anytime soon. As immovable as they were we went up into the mountains all four seasons pushing ourselves to the next peak. We climbed mountains to explore, hunt, and declare temporary victory over Nature. We didn’t climb all the mountains, but climbing gave us the stamina to tackle future big problems.
Mountain climbing is dangerous; there are all kinds of perils waiting for you year round. Because of that, I like climbing in the Winter with the woods thinned out from the Fall so you can see in all directions. Wading through waist high snow, although exhausting, is a safer bet with the bears, bobcats, and rattle snakes hibernating for the winter. No matter how you prepare for climbing, however, things can go wrong. My brother Mark years ago tore his left quadricep catching a garder at a wedding of all things. That freak injury needed orthopedic surgery and a full leg cast. Decades later he was up on the mountain hunting, crossed a small brook, tore the left quadricep again, then twisted and tore the right quadricep. He couldn’t walkout and needed a mountain evacuation. After surgery he was in two full leg casts for three months. The odds of that happening according to an orthopedic surgeon friend is 10 million to 1. Nature finds a way to humble us.
My three sons were born below sea level in Florida; the only mountains they see are the landfills off the interstate highway. So starting when they were little I introduced them to the Adirondacks complete with all its splendor. They learned what I did growing up to plan the hike, stick with each other, and keep going until you got to the top. Occasionally there was bitching and moaning, but they’d always rally when reaching the peak. I am fully content sharing those lessons and I believe they are better prepared to tackle life’s many mountains – careers, marriage, credit card debt, raising a family, and all other hurdles. As for me after surviving cancer 6X for nearly four decades most people wonder out-loud how I’ve stayed vertical for so long. My normal response has been Faith, Family, and Healthcare; but I think more than ever the Adirondack Mountains need a long deserved shout out. Slainte.
Enjoy your posts so much! Always grateful for a clear scan. Back again in August
Hi Mr. Lawson – you dont know me, but I know you! I love reading your blogs….they always make me feel strong and that “I got this”. Thank you for your words!
As always…. Wonderful……Thank you…..,💖🍀💖
There is no place like home to give us inner peace! You are so wise giving your sons both lives! Slainte
Mary, it wasn’t too long before they wanted to throw beer in the backpacks, the training was official at that point. Pete
‘Experts’ in the teaching field say that it takes 10 years to reach this degree of specialty. You have certainly attained that measure in mountain climbing. “Onwards and Upwards” 🍀
Grace, that’s funny – Diane as a teacher always says “all I need is a day.” Pete
Pete—You’ve graduated from being a mountain climber to becoming a Sherpa. You are a trusted guide for many people making the trek into previously unknown territory. Your blog posts provide guidance, humor, reassurance and remind folks that they are not alone on this journey.
Slainte
Though I am not climbing an actual mountain currently Mr.Pete… I feel like I’ve been climbing an internal one for a few years now. I know we all are in some way. Right now I’m about halfway up mine and when I get to the top…I hope to finally feel like myself again. That being said…what’s helped me start to see my reflection in the mirror…are your Wednesday blogs. I write responses to your stories and read them often. When I do…it reminds me of who I am and what I want to be. It’s really helped me in so many ways. I am thankful that you bare your soul…because you make me think of life through your lens. It helps me to put things in perspective. 💕
People come into your life for a reason…and I have learned so much from you. Thanks for all of the lessons Mr. Pete…I try to act on them each day.
Once in awhile…that evil Kim Crawford gets in the way…but I figure too much goodness turns into a fun hater…and nobody wants that. I try to balance the yin and yang ☯️ to the best of my ability. 🥂
Either way…I’m still climbing…😊
“There’s always gonna be another mountain…I’m always gonna wanna make it move…Always gonna be an uphill battle
…Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose…Ain’t about how fast I get there…Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side…
It’s the climb…” 🎶💕🎶
“The Climb” ~ Miley Cyrus
Cheers Mr. Pete 🍀💕🪳
Elisa, no one is exempt from having mountains in their way, but a lot of people try to pretend they aren’t really there. Climbing to the peak of your mountain will show you on the other side there’s a lot more out there, but they’re a heck of lot smaller. Slainte! Pete
Well said.