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Page 7 of 12 I went for a hike today with Dan and two of our friends. It was one of those days where the weather was just perfect and there’s nowhere I would have rather been than outside in the woods, enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. The 4-mile hike was pretty strenuous, one which took us on a steep incline for the entire first mile. Even as I huffed and puffed my way through the difficult parts, I enjoyed every second of it. As I’ve said, I thrive on challenging my body. So when we reached some breathtaking scenic overlooks and tranquil waterfalls nestled in the forest, we felt like we’d truly earned this feast for our eyes. Oh, what a day it was...
Along the way, we ran into a father and his 8-year old daughter. This little girl was all geared up, and was making her way along the trail like a real trooper. We stopped to talk to them for a few minutes, and learned that the little girl has been into hiking for a couple of years now. She has a 14-year old friend who successfully climbed Mt. Washington in New Hampshire when she was 11. This little 8-year old has a goal. To make the same journey, but to do it when she is 10—and beat her friend’s record. What a wonderful, innocent, exciting aspiration.
She may not fully realize it now, but the fact that she’s leading such an active lifestyle at such a young age is such a positive thing, because so many healthy (and unhealthy) habits start during childhood. But chances are, her father knows just what he's doing. By encouraging this healthy way of life, he is doing her so much good. But he’s not just encouraging her to be active. He’s participating in it too. Double bonus! We were all so taken by this situation, and my friend Sharon was especially affected. A former Phys. Ed. teacher, she has seen the effects of so many children who lead sedentary lifestyles. Some are obese, while others are well on their way. So for Sharon to see this little girl and her father being so active together truly did her heart good.
Dan and I are home now, tired and happy from our day. I know I’ll continue to think about this little girl from time to time. And in two years from now, when she is 10, I’ll be sending positive energy in her direction as she makes her way up Mt. Washington. But personally, I don’t think she needs much luck. With such a great head on her shoulders and a father who obviously loves her very much, I think she’ll be just fine. On that mountain...and in her life.
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