The unexpected journey

My trip to Alaska in 2023 was the greatest moment of my life.  My parents overcame whatever limitations they had to take the 16-hour journey and meet me in Anchorage for the cruise.  In my fitness life, it was a coming out party.  I was about 30 pounds heavier than now, but it was the time that I knew my body could take on more – and I was going to show my parents that in Alaska.  I found the most adventurous excursion on the itinerary for each day and signed up for it.  A 26-mile bike ride; a hike; a helicopter ride onto a glacier; and rock climbing!  Never had I ever done any of those before except for a hike.  I had not even ridden an outdoor bike in over 20 years.  All but the rock climbing went extremely well.  The climbing went well too in that I climbed two easy routes terrified but without harm.  But I refused to try rappelling at the end of the day.  With respect to rock climbing, I felt like I left something in the tank, so I gave it another shot the following spring.  You probably know how that turned out.  Still, showing my parents – and the world – all that I could do with my new body – and proving to myself that I could do it, and more – is why it was the greatest moment of my life.

But life is not as perfect as that story above . . .