[Grizzly]

<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">The boys are off again tomorrow, off to another year of adventure.  Whether they see it that way or not, their worlds are opening up before them.  Would that I had a map that I could give them that would outline the contours of their journey.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">It’s been a strange year, one of intense pain, of other health worries, of getting used to being a couple – alone – for the first time in 18 years.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">The missus had a plan, she did, she wanted me to get grounded again, to get away from work and worry, to get outside and just be.  Her plan worked.  Perhaps I’ve not healed physically, but I am in a far better space than I was 12 months ago, let alone the start of the summer.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">I’ve been out hiking, camping, making music every weekend this summer it seems.  The pictures have been a testament to that.  I have learned a few things about myself, and a few things about who and where I want to be.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">I love the mountains.  Love is not too strong a word.  I am not adept, nor will I ever be at scaling their heights.  I won’t be the intrepid backpacker, nor will I explore their rivers in canoe or kayak in great expeditions.  But even walking them I know that they claim me.</span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">I used to think that I took a piece of the special places I visited with me – that somehow I owned the peaks I’d climbed or the roads I’d run.  On the contrary, I’ve found that those places have kept a part of me.  I’m not diminished by that loss, rather it ties me to this land in a deeply spiritual way. </span></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">Maps are a tad useless when it comes to plotting out one’s life journey.  You can’t connect the dots going forward, only when you look back to see where you’ve come from and how far you’ve climbed.  As the boys go out and find their own special places, I hope that they leave something of themselves here with us, not to tie them but to let them know that for all their soaring they do have roots.</span></span></p>

 

[sierra]

<p>Very well said Grizz.  Life is quite an adventure sometimes, with new revelations and experiences always around the next corner. </p>
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<p>But.... I can relate so closely to this quote.  I have the same love for the mountains that you shared here. (which may just explain why I am dealing with so much frustration after having to leave them)  There really is something special and almost magical about them...... and for me,  its always defied words. Thank you for saying it so well. </p>
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<p>Quote:</p>
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<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Grizzly</strong> <a href="/t/75015/they-re-leaving-again#post_2011537"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br>
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<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">I love the mountains.  Love is not too strong a word.  I am not adept, nor will I ever be at scaling their heights.  I won’t be the intrepid backpacker, nor will I explore their rivers in canoe or kayak in great expeditions.  But even walking them I know that they claim me.</span></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'times new roman';">I used to think that I took a piece of the special places I visited with me – that somehow I owned the peaks I’d climbed or the roads I’d run.  On the contrary, I’ve found that those places have kept a part of me.  I’m not diminished by that loss, rather it ties me to this land in a deeply spiritual way. </span></span></p>
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<p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';font-size:medium;"><snip></span></p>
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