I was quite sick this year, and so though I wanted to climb with the other women in Portland this year I decided it would be better to stick some what closer to home, just in case.
My DH and I hiked Angel's Rest.
It was challenging for me, being so sick physically, but it reminded me how far I have come and what can be accomplished if you just keep moving forward.
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| This is considered a weed to most here in Oregon I learned, but I found beauty in it. Guess you can find beauty in anything if you chose to look at it in such light. |
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| A peak of what reaching the top will be like. This reminded me about my journey out of the darkness of my depression. Most of the time I could only concentrate on the steps I had to make to keep moving forward, panting, needing breaks, feeling the burn in my muscles from the effort, but once in awhile I would have a good day, or a good week and I could see more then just the dirt below my feet. There was a glimpse of the life I once enjoyed. I cherished it! |
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| I have always found dead trees incredibly beautiful. I have been told how odd this is, but it's the truth. They are no longer carry life, no more leaves to cover the brown bark, but they have a beautiful story to tell. This how strong they are. All these trees are still standing tall. What they have had to endure, they are a source of strength and power to me. |
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| Beautiful wild flowers along the side of the dirt path. What are you wild flowers that help you see the good in your climb? If you don't have any that you can think of try to find something that makes you want to smile throughout the day. Is it the calm after the kids leave for school? Is it your cup of tea? Is it getting to finally take a shower? Having the energy to get out of bed? Whatever it is I encourage you to look and find those things that give you a moment of peace and a breath of fresh air. |
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| Another peak of beauty. I'm getting closer I can tell. |
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| This moment in the hike was incredible. At first I was elated I had made it. I was done. The view is/was incredible! I can see far and wide. It's breathtaking! And in a good way. Finally! Then I noticed a couple of hiking coming out of a clearing just above these rocks and realized that I wasn't to the top yet. It was a disappointment I will admit, but I realized that I still have more to go, more healing, more taking one step and a time. I looked back at that moment to this view. Took it in to try my best to remember it and move forward once again. |
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| I don't know if you can tell, but this is a part of the sole of a shoe someone lost on the trail. When I saw it, I thought how all of us who are or have struggled or will struggle with PPD/A has changed. My soul has changed. There are parts of my heart that will never be the same. The damage is done, but that doesn't mean that I can't keep moving forward. That I am not stronger then I once was, even with the loss that I have and will endure with this illness. This part in my journey was profound. The tears came and I let them. I have lost a lot, my DH held me. Giving me the support I needed and I continued on. |
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| Almost there. At the very last stretch of climbing we had to hike up and over these HUGE boulders. |
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| The top in site. :) |
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| The remarkable view! I did it! Sick and all and I made it to the top! It was hard, it was painful, it was lets face it humiliating, but oh was it worth it! |
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| We did it! (and look we are even smiling) One more step towards a better me. :) Hoping you find a happy moment in your day! |
