The mountain can be a treacherous place and is incredibly unforgiving. The winds today were hurricane levels… ferocious and skin piercing. I am having a difficult time with my climbing and breathing today. Today I am also thinking about LOVE. I am missing my loved ones and wondering how they are spending this beautiful day of love. Hoy es el dia de amor y Amistad… Happy Valentines Day. Today is the day of lovers and friendships of love. I am thinking about all of my friends and family back home. My daughter… My girlfriend… The womyn and men that I absolutely adore… my deepest desire is that all those in my life know how much I love them today and always. Today my meditation is on LOVE.
This evening by the fire Vedanti told us about the greatest story of love she has ever known. They met on a journey, two people who have never climbed mount Makula. It was a first time for them both. One woman was recently diagnosed with cancer. She did not tell anyone about her illness not even a single family member. She decided to keep it to her self and did not mention it to a soul. She didn’t want anyone pitying her or treating her like a sick patient. She decided that there was no way she was going to leave this earth without reaching heaven… or at least getting close to it.
When she was diagnosed she decided that NOW was the time for her to do everything she had dreamt of doing or at least die trying. On the top of her list was climbing this very mountain. On the journey she just spent the majority of her time looking back at her life… she made amends with the people she had had difficult relationships with and sent wishes to those in her life she wanted to forgive and those she needed forgiveness from. Hers was a journey of forgiveness.
She met a woman on that mountain and they had much in common. Both of them had come to the mountain seeking closure, serenity and peace. Both were looking to start a new chapter. But what neither one of them could ever expect was that they would find LOVE on that mountain. That evening Vedanti told us the story of her love affair with her greatest love. She shared with us the significance of every single person we meet in life and the role they each play in helping us get to the top of the mountain. She so eloquently shared that when she reaches the top of the mountain every time… it is also her anniversary with her beloved and she gets to stand there and remember their last kiss.
REFLECTION
As Vedanti shared her love story I could not help but look back at all that I have achieved. My meditation today was about really LOOKING BACK and acknowledging how far I’ve come. Today I stood still and looked back. Today I am honoring all that I have climbed and all those I have loved.
Today I was reminded to stop and look back and I did. I stopped – I took a deep breath and looked back at all that I have done… how far I have come… this journey is about my life… this is about everything in my life and all that it has taken me to get to this point.
When you stand at the top of the mountain you feel every single person who has gotten you to this point.
No one gets to the top alone.
This is what I am remembering today. This is what I will remember when I get to the top.
Today I am looking back at all I have been given… and for all of my blessings I say THANK YOU.
If no one has told you today allow me to be the first… I LOVE and VALUE YOU!
Namaste ~ And so it is. Ache
✿✿Note to readers following our journey: Now that we have begun our climb I will not be posting to facebook as often. Please follow my blog at the top of the page. Thank you for your love and well wishes.
✿✿Note to newcomers accepting the writing challenge! You can begin the challenge at any point. There is no right or wrong way to participate. You are not being graded or judged. This is a gift we are giving ourselves. So be gentle during this process. We are about to climb a mountain, YO! Remember that. Remember we must be present. Release all self-defeating thoughts. You can do this. I do want to remind the new climbers that no matter what day you decide to join the challenge please begin at the beginning. It’s important to prepare! Please remember to post your daily responses in my comments on my blog. Sending you all love. See you at the top of the mountain.
With all my love,
Alicia
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The Writer and The Story 
Day 9: Rock bottom at 11841 ft.
Today was the most challenging of days. There was a lot of snow, I found it difficult breathing, my ankle was hurting, I felt extra cold and extra heavy. It kind of felt like I was carrying more than just my backpack today.
For the most part, I worked on my own today. Every now and again Peter helped me out with water and oxygen but that was all. He would check in on all of us and return to the back of the group, always being the last climber. Always watching.
It seemed everything bothered me. Everything just stood out, as if there was a spotlight shining on it all.
Spotlight on Brandon’s name brand gear; show off. Claudia’s worn notebook of clues and hints; just who does she think she is? Anil’s short stories; it happenned, get over it man! Kamala’s veggie chips; what?? Can’t she chew with her mouth closed?
And it went on and on….Everything bothered me and I didn’t know why.
At one point, it got so difficult to climb that I struggled and fell, landing on one knee as if I were about to propose to the air. I remember Mr. Chen and Zion asking me if I was alright and all I did was shed tears. Just one after the other. No whimpering. No nose sniffing. No sound. It caught me completely off guard. At this Anil announced it was time for a break and I heard Claudia suck her teeth in disapproval. To hell with her. Ain’t no damn treasure anywhere.
As I said, everything bothered me….
Reflection:
Dear Hunt,
I hate hearing about everyone else’s adventures and goals. Anil shared today that his hat making business is finally making it off the ground. Peter shared he was flying to Venice after this climb to check on his newly purchased home and Zion squealed with excitement when she shared her news of her community journal being considered for an award. And well, we already know about Mr. Chen and his huge career surrounded by the best sake and Maiko (I’m guessing). It seems as if everyone was doing big things and here I was, in the middle of nothing big or exciting.
Everyday is a damn sumo match. Everyday I fight to be a sardine on a crowded 6 train. Everyday I fight to keep my sanity with a boss who has clearly lost hers. Everyday I’m fighting for balance. Balance between motherhood and work, between money and fun, between peace and anger, between papi and answers. Everyday it’s a damn fight. Everyday it’s as if I’m climbing. Just climbing but never reaching the summit. Not even close.
And well Hunt, you already know. It was time for the Snackwells. They were a bit crumbled up but that was perfectly fine with me. Nothing has been perfect thus far so why would I gave expected that from a pack of cookies? Either way, whole or not, they came right on time, right when the clock strikes rock bottom….
Rock bottom at 11841 ft.
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