To ramble lithe o’er crag and fissure
Propelled by boundless youthful vigor,
Alas! Those days have come and gone
And left an old man weak and worn!
(R Weisser 2014)
I am planning a considerable adventure this Summer. As time takes its toll on my frame I realize that this long anticipated excursion falls into the “now or never” category.
It’s only a fourteen mile hike. When I was younger, I used to drive the four hours to the mountains, hike my fifteen miles, and then drive home. But those days are gone.
Now each step I take is painful. A test run last week that was half of that distance nearly did me in. But I have recovered and am going to do the trip as planned.
The nature of the planned hike is that there is no turning back once it is started. The trail is steep and rocky. I will have friends with me just in case.
It is not a matter of pride. It issimply a clear understanding that as time goes on, ALL of us face the eventual deterioration of our mortal coils and can choose to accept it of defy it!
And I’ve always been a little hard-headed!
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