We Summit Once Again

This sunny Sabbath afternoon we rode up Emigration Canyon with our biking brother Kim.  As we have done some many times before on our bikes, we summited Little Mountain together, but this time our means of conveyance was four wheeled.  There were several poignant moments.  One was Kim’s simple refutation “that’s a lie” to something the Big Man said.  Then, as we traveled towards the last bend before the summit, there was golden glint of the late afternoon sunlight reflected from Kim’s smile as he gazed upon the Salt Lake Valley--where many of his fond memories of meaningful events in his life were made.  A photo op at that top of Little Mountain that the boys planned was nearly thwarted because Hale forgot his smart phone.  It does not matter how smart the electronic device is if the operator is challenged.  But alas, Big Man, in his inimitable and gregarious way, imposed upon a young buck who just summited the mountain with his biking brothers and asked him if he would spare a moment to memorialize on his phone camera a picture of brothers who once summited that mountain together on their bikes when they were younger and stronger.  We shall never forget the respectful manner in which the young man took the picture, recognizing the dire circumstances of a veteran biker.  Without hesitation, he took the picture and sent it to us, a token of charity towards complete strangers that will forever be remembered as we gaze upon the image that he made.  On the way home Kim became anxious.  To comfort him, we told him that Vicki was waiting for him at home.  Though his memory was clouded by medication, causing his mind to wander hither and yon from time to time, with a surety in his voice that can only be forged from a lifetime of love and commitment, he declared: “I know she is”.  Not much was said during the journey, but much was felt as many tears were shed traveling to the summit and back, listening to Cat Stevens, James Taylor, Seals and Croft and John Denver.  Before returning, a stop was made at the fire station so that Wood could fetch tissue to hide evidence of a tender moment shared together.  Vicki, thank you for sharing him with us.

Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote in the summation of the longing for adventure Ulysses surely must have felt while living a sedentary life on the Isle of Ithaca, after a lifetime of perilous adventures:

         

                      It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,       

                      And see the great Achilles, whom we knew

                      Though much is taken, much abides; and though

                      We are not now that strength which in old days

                      Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;

                      One equal temper of heroic hearts,

                      Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will

                      To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

May we all strive, seek and find all life has to offer and never yield to all the curves balls life throws at us.  

WE LOVE YOU KIM!