Tara lived in the house right next door to me. I moved in before third grade, and I can’t quite recall when her family moved to Texas for a stint, but they came back in time for us to be in high school at the same time. I’m a skosh older.
I’ve spent years being irritated at this family because Tara’s
younger brother Russell stepped on my turtle when he was about two. I figured
tonight I could let that go, while Tara let go of a few things herself. (I'm kidding about being irritated, but not about Myrtle's near death experience.)
Tara’s Post with my
Thoughts
We celebrate a wedding
with cake…what do we do to acknowledge a divorce? Yes, nothing about it is a
celebration. However, like a wedding it is a new chapter, a new beginning and
that SHOULD be recognized.
[I’m listening.]
I’m done with people
feeling sorry for me, sadness, regret and shame. (so much of this.)
[There is no shame in a cow suit.]
Yes, some celebrate with
a girls night, lots of alcohol and possibly a new relationship. That’s not for
me.
[You go, Girl! What about a cow suit? Might that be for you?
I rallied some of my high school classmates to cow at your class’ reunion fun
run, and I’ve seen you at city fun runs, so you know the drill.]
Therefore, as I’ve
waited for nice weather since the day I got the notice, I want to host an
evening hike. I have learned of a decent trail off Satterfield and Lois Lane. I can’t say we will hike to the top because I
have never been on this trail. All the more reason it will be perfect.
[I think I’ve been on that trail. In regular clothes. It IS
quite lovely.]
Something new. A new
trail to hike. A new mountain to climb. New challenge for my body to
accomplish. A great sweat. And if we stay long enough, watching the sun set
over the valley and the reservoir.
[I have something else new you could try…..]
I realize a sunrise
may be more symbolic. This girl isn’t getting up early enough to hike in the dark
on a new trail to be at the top to watch the sunrise.
[Yet]
So all you out there,
come out and help me commemorate this new beginning. Doesn’t have to be my
girls. Guys come also. Anyone. Everyone. Married. Single. Divorced. In fact we
all have new beginnings. New challenges. Bring the dogs. I won’t be bringing my
kids but you can do what works for you.
[Anyone? She said “anyone,”
so that means cows. Yes!]
I’m perfectly ready to
walk the trail alone. A lot of meaning in that as well. However, I would love
to do this together.
[This would certainly be memorable for you, if cow suits
were involved. I’d hate for it to change whatever meaning you are hoping to glean,
so I probably better ask if you are okay with making this a bit of a bovine
beginning.]
Who wants to join me?
[Raises hoof and sends a private message asking permission.]
After the Hike with
the Heifer
This might be one of my laziest blogs EVER because I'm using so much of Tara's text. But really, this was so not about me tonight.
It was a little about me in that I recall just barely some of the difficulties
my mom had as a single parent and a social worker, but mostly I just wanted to
be a joyful presence for Tara.
Here are a few of her contemplations after the hike:
Many times today I had
talked myself into cancelling. Sick kids, son has campout to pack for, daughter
has dance competition to pack for, kids to cuddle, dishes to do.
[I thought I wouldn't have minded if you cancelled. I always have a to-do list a mile long, and Satterfield is sooooo far away. In Pocatello, nothing is far
away. I was being lazy. For a dozen reasons, I'm glad we went.]
We went anyway. I needed this. Keaton needed this. To see
him get to the top (or at least where we stopped) an know that he had accomplished
something. Ahhhh. It’s almost better to see someone else achieve a goal than it
is to achieve one yourself.
[I like Keaton. At one point on the hike, I said, “Good Job,
Man.” And through udder breathlessness he said, “Thank you.” (1) He said thank you. I will write you a kick-ass letter of
recommendation for college entrance if you are an adolescent who simply says “thank
you” (2) He accepted that complement from me. He didn’t shrug it off or dismiss
it because darn it, he knew he was working hard and he WAS accomplishing
something. There is confidence in accepting compliments. (3) He put his hand out to shake mine when we were done and he smiled. Is this not one of the best smiles you've ever seen?
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| Lucy the Newfoundland just shook slobber ALL over us! The most disgusting moment in a cow suit so far. |
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| Keaton wore the horns!!! |
And Billie, thank you for coming out and supporting me. Thanks for walking with me and absolutely for bringing the cow suits. I WILL one day…very soon…actually fit in the suit.
[You're welcome. I think the goal of fitting in a cow suit is a fantastic irony and I would LOVE for you to be the one that gets that blog! ]I left what I needed on the hill. I came back with what I needed. Perfect way to start this new chapter and say goodbye to the last.
[Amen, Sister!]
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| Even though I have longer arms, Tara totally took the better group shot after our hike. Let's do it again! |
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| We really live in a beautiful place. |
