A few weeks ago, I found myself in an unusual situation. My lovely goddaughter and my best friend wanted to go for a hike in the woods, but I hadn’t packed any sneakers or hiking shoes for my short, out-of-state visit. No one in their house wore my size- so I had a decision to make. Say no to a sweet 9-year-old who hadn’t seen me in months, or brave the woods in my flip flops.
So, flip flops it was!
This experience immediately resonated with me on so many levels. After all, doesn’t everyone find themselves regularly trying to navigate the new trails of life in ill-prepared shoes?
Every time I think I finally have my current stage of life “all figured out,” I find myself sadly mistaken. Some new force of nature sends me on a wildly different path, pushing me to problem solve in ways I would have never imagined. But problem solving is a good thing, and embracing change can lead to wondrous joy.
This year, my husband and I celebrate 20 years of marriage.
20 years!
That, in itself, seems totally unbelievable to me- but there it is.
If my 23-year-old self had to predict what my life would look like at my 20 year anniversary, I would have never, EVER pictured the many blessings my husband and I would experience, nor the challenges we would endure.
At 23, I hiked in flip flops on the bumpy path of a new marriage.
At 27, I trekked through the uncharted territory of motherhood.
In my thirties and forties, I trudged up and down the turbulent hills of adoption.
Currently, I’m marching on… wading through swamps of burdens and losses, occasionally breaking through to the crystal clear waters of peace and enlightenment. And I have found that every pitfall is worth what’s right around the corner.
In August, my husband and I will be renewing our vows in a Sound of Music Extravaganza, featuring my fun-loving friends dressed as nuns and my husband donning a naval uniform and sword. The Sound of Music has always been my favorite movie, and I consider the wedding scene to be the best cinematic moment of all time. I can’t wait to walk down the aisle to “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria” while seeing my sons, nieces and godchildren dressed in 1940’s Austrian attire. It will most definitely end our summer on a memorable note.
Speaking of the Sound of Music, here is a quote from Reverend Mother to Maria, which neatly coincides with today’s topic:
Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
‘Till you find your dream.
A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life,
For as long as you live!
Mother Abbess, lyrics from “Climb Every Mountain”
So… throw on your flip flops, start climbing that mountain, and give your love to those around you. It will be well worth the dirty feet!
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