Today was hard

Yes, I mean it was REALLY hard. Gale force winds and driving rains made navigation and crossing fast moving water really challenging. The grounds were saturated and every stream was swollen both wide and deep. I fell several times, once pretty good, but I did manage to get up and keep going each time; putting one foot in front of the other until, almost 11 hours later, I was at the end of today’s journey and there was a really awesome tub waiting for me. I mean I didn’t really want to get wetter but I wanted to be warm. I could be focusing on the views I missed because the cloud cover was so thick; but I choose to focus on the beauty that I did notice. That included the outstretched hand of a man who, knowing I was alone at this point in the journey, waited for me at a really tricky crossing. It also included the invitation from the 3 London ladies to have me join them when it became apparent that today’s challenges were better shared. We were proud of our efforts and perseverance in crossing more bodies of water than I could count and that was beautiful. For a few moments we could feel the sun trying to illuminate the sky from behind the clouds and it reminded me that the sun is always there, even when you can’t see it. I hope I can see the sun tomorrow but, no matter what it is like, I will be thankful. I hope you can be, too.