Taking a hike to support children with eczema and their families
A few months ago, a friend invited me to go on an adventure I've been dreaming of for a couple of years - a backpacking trip in the mountains! We did a one night practice run in the Sangre de Cristo mountains earlier this month and it was hard. I questioned if that experience was my "one and done." I felt the effects of altitude, I didn't sleep and it was cold. We got water from the stream and cooked one tiny pot of food at a time. I used heated water in a bottle to warm my frozen toes while we waited for the sun to reach us in the valley. I had to take rests between rolling sleeping bags, sleep pads and packing my tent after it dried from the wet mud we slept on. However, the entire night sky was brilliant. Seeing the sun light up the peaks was an amazing way to start the day. The clear stream looked so pure and lovely. Seeing my kids grow their own sense of belonging in nature and adventure was magical.
It was magnificent and miserable all wrapped up together. In the days after, the depths of my stomach would flip anytime my husband would even begin to ask me about my future plans to do the original plan. I've struggled between thoughts of "I don't have to prove anything" and "I can totally just get a hotel for myself to have time alone without running across four states to challenge myself THAT much." I asked myself if this is my mid-life crisis since it costs a small fortune to acquire the gear for this kind of trip. I had no idea I'd struggle so hard to make the call.
The decision is made. I'm going at the end of July and will be joining my friend as she completes the southern portion of the Colorado Trail. I'm thrilled to cheer her on in her absolutely impressive accomplishment! Friends, this is not going to be a walk in the park for me. It will challenge me physically and mentally. I've never been away from my kids this long. My husband will be pulling my weight at home too. You can help support me with encouragement and advice but I've decided to add some extra motivation and inspiration to this experience and raise funds for my favorite nonprofit, Global Parents for Eczema Research. This will push me to achieve something I might otherwise be tempted to walk away from. And help push research and provide support for families living with moderate-to-severe eczema. Help me live my dream and help kids who desperately need it.
And I challenge you as well: what’s on your bucket list that you’re afraid to accomplish on your own? Push yourself out of your comfort zone, and do it for a cause you believe in. Raising money for the benefit of others may be just the encouragement you need to achieve your dream.
