The women in my family do hard things. The candles on my aunt’s birthday cake are inching toward a number that begins with 7. This week we went on an adventure together. As I watched her put one foot in front of another, I thought – She still climbs mountains. Her tenacity inspired me.

Do you, like me, assign timetables to what is possible to do with your life? Are you quick to exclude yourself from opportunities because of your age? I definitely do.

My mother’s sister came for a visit last week. She brought her granddaughter, my cousin’s 14-year-old with her. We adventured daily. They had things they wanted to do here in the mountains. Florida offers great things, but all of them happen at sea level. We had our work cut out for us.

A good hike sat near the top of the adventure list. My aunt stipulated that it not be too challenging, as she has a repaired knee. We have a favorite hike to a waterfall and settled on doing that one. Something about it, though, made me feel unsure.  I couldn’t exactly remember the elevation change. The return portion is all uphill. I do not describe it as a death-defying uphill climb. I experienced one of those in Yellowstone National Park. The hike we chose could be categorized as easy in comparison. Still, I remained concerned.

Horseback riding also topped the to-do list; not just any trail ride either. My cousin wanted the ride to include a run or trot. We found a place not far from the hike and planned our adventure. They promised even small children could safely accomplish the trot portions.

So, the young one and her three old companions, myself and Hubby Guy plus her Memaw, took off on our adventure. We survived horseback riding that included multiple sections of trotting. My knees ached by the end. My thigh muscles shook.

Then, as planned, we took our already taxed bodies by car over to the trailhead. As soon as we started down the trail, I realized the reason for my concern.  I immediately regretted what my aunt would have to go through. But it was too late to reconsider.

The hike down happened easily. Hubby Guy and the 14-year-old practically ran. I and my aunt went at a much more deliberate and safer pace. All four of us made it to the waterfall and enjoyed our time.

She did not say much, but I knew my aunt sat by the falls engaged in intense internal coaching concerning the uphill portion of the hike. As many times as I have hiked that trail, I did the same.

When it came time to leave, we pointed ourselves uphill and began our slow ascent.

I feel old. Is anyone with me? Days, long ago, when my body did not hurt daily only hover at the edges of my memory. As I climbed literally one step at a time up that mountain, I internally mapped the progression of my physical decline away from youthfulness.

I took the back-of-the-line position. My plans to get up the mountain included making sure Deb got up too. I got her into the mess. The least I could do included making sure she survived it.

We hiked up the trail at a slow, yet steady pace – one step at a time, one breath at a time, one section at a time toward our picnic lunch waiting at the car. It took a while. We watched the blue sky above us inching further into the tree line at the top of the hill signifying our return to the top of the trailhead. Who knew the sight of a parking lot could be so rewarding?

She still climbs mountains. And… she did it with grace and a steely resolve. I didn’t ask but am willing to bet she surprised even herself.

What have you scratched off your list? What opportunities do you shy away from without an actual verified reason? Those two questions captured my attention last Thursday.

We all occasionally discount bandwidth when we should not.

I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 (CSB)