I raced ahead, hopping over tree roots and dancing at the end of the path. Sahalie Falls, one of our favorite destinations on hot summer days, sprayed my face with its cool mist as I waited for my family. Soon my brother, sister and Mom caught up. Dad followed with my baby sister on his shoulders.
Last weekend Mom and Dad, now in their eighties, stayed home. And this time I took my turn bringing up the rear.
It was great to make new friends with international students and watch their exuberance in an Oregon forest. Jerry bonded with the younger guys, and I engaged with the girl gang as we made dozens of stops to pose for photos, admire the wild dogwood trees, and swirl our hands in the icy water.
Thanks to several long-term lifestyle changes and encouragement from medical professionals I pushed my legs to work like they haven’t been able to for a while. One of the students, Anna, stayed by my side the whole time to help me on tough stretches and insist I rest. She treated me as an honored mother, oh so kindly.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:9-12 NIV).
I attempted the hike to strengthen my legs and to learn more about people from other parts of the world. The kindness and respect I received as an older, weaker-but-getting-stronger person, however, was priceless.
by Kathy Sheldon Davis
kathysheldondavis.com 