One of my favorite memories from college was when my dear friend dragged me on a 22 mile backpacking trip through Death Valley . This being my very first backpacking trip, with just the first few steps carrying the pack on my back, I made a dramatic “ugh” noise. As a watched the landscape change from reed marshes to grass fields dotted with hills to canyon walls, I was amazed at how easily the landscape changed with the simple placement of my feet.
Imagine how the great pioneer women must have felt crossing the continental United States ! They probably felt worn down and weary at times, but they pushed through. Thanks to my friend Lindsay’s mother, I now have a yellow sun bonnet (matched only in greatness by Lindsay’s green sun bonnet.) Clearly, I now have the wardrobe to move forward once again.
I feel changed by the heart wrenching (and sometimes gut-wrenching…literally) experiences I’ve been fortunate enough to feel my way through. In a way, I am grateful for them because they make me feels alive. Like my spirit is lighting up and growing.
That’s all a bit abstract, I know, so let's commence with some concrete Benin adventures!
Wow! You may be doing this one step at a time but I can see the progress even from here. Those you meet on the journey will have to smile when they come across the California girl in her sunbonnet.
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