Facing my 80th birthday this year, I feel scared to hike in Shenandoah National Park to Overall Run Falls, a six miler, all on my own. I’m driving from New York state to meet Derek, the leader of a Readers Write workshop sponsored by The SUN magazine being held in Asheville, NC.
Maybe because it is March, there are no other hikers for the 3-mile descent just roots and rocks in wait to trip me, as I ask the Design Of the Universe (DOU instead of god) to keep me safe. I have an ongoing love affair with the force of waterfalls…their magnificence, their power, their unique flow, soothing my soul almost as powerfully as do my tears…their flow falling to find the deepest most loving part of me.
After I took a selfie, feeling proud I didn’t fall for the fear to hike alone, as part of me wanted to…the domino effect, of trusting myself, was rewarded as I turned to leave Overall Falls. A cute 19-year-old appeared named Calvin. He shoots out his hand to shake…our eyes meet and I wish I was 19 again!
- I wrote the original at Derek’s workshop…now edited…so greatfull for the readers write and the whole blooming beautiful magazine I’ve subscribed to for 30 consecutive years, (maybe more) waiting expectantly each month to see it appear in my mailbox, eyes of more than puppy love.