Our Mount Everest

 
"Hell or High Water" by Bill Raffoul

“When I rest I feel utterly lifeless except that my throat burns when I draw breath... I can scarcely go on. No despair, no happiness, no anxiety. I have not lost the mastery of my feelings, there are actually no more feelings. I consist only of will. After each few metres this too fizzles out in unending tiredness. Then I think nothing. I let myself fall, just lie there. For an indefinite time I remain completely irresolute. Then I make a few steps again.” 
― Reinhold Messner, Crystal Horizon: Everest: The First Solo Ascent

"Whatever fools may say, the body can suffer twenty times more than the mind."
-C.S Lewis "A Grief Observed"

 People are always asking "how are things today?"  Thankfully to this point our answer has been "No changes."  Our doctor repeats the same phrase every time he visits:  "Stay boring.  I want to forget you are even here."

   Working on it Doc...

   I have always dreamt of climbing Mount Everest.  Somewhat in jest, somewhat serious.  I am convinced these emotions are exactly what one would feel like undertaking that incredulous journey.

   Each day you are closer to your dream - reaching the summit.  And through the ups and downs, you are blessed with amazing views and the unparalleled satisfaction of passing another checkpoint.  The dream of making it to the top fuels you, despite the odds, despite the stories of others who have fallen before you.

  You know the dangers.  You have been warned and prepared for all scenarios.  But nothing will make you turn back. You have one purpose... one mission: reach the top.

   In the back of your mind there must be that ever present fear of "What if...?"  What if the weather changes?  What if supplies run out?  Avalanche?  Injuries?  So many "what if's".  Each one adds another 10-lbs of weight onto your heart and soul and makes each step even harder.  In order to succeed you must drive those thoughts out and focus on one thing: the next stop.

   Strictly focusing on the end - the summit - will cause you to forget about the countless obstacles you must overcome in your path.  And one wrong step could be your last.

   But focusing on those very same obstacles could be the very thing that prevents you from ever reaching your ultimate goal.

   Our summit is two healthy babies that we raise and love for all of our lives.  We cannot lose sight of that.  And every day we hear their little heartbeats we are reminded of our drive and our unwavering passion to get to this summit.  We are not ignoring what could be, we are not blind to the obstacles all around us and the overwhelming odds against us... we are choosing to fight.

   The average time it takes to climb Everest is around 2 months.  I would love for us to be in this very same place 2 months from now.

   And just like the experienced climber focuses on the next step, one step at a time, all the way to the top... so shall we focus on the next minute, one day at a time, all the way to the end.

 "Hell or High Water" by Billy Raffoul