The Biggest Damn Hill in the World

That might be a slight exaggeration... but half way up it felt as if it was 12 ft. straight in the air. Let me explain about my evening. My parents, children, Pastor and friend went to Shakespeare in the Park this evening (I went too even though I foolishly left myself off that list). This is a free event in my town and rather a fun evening.. they have been doing it for 17 years and this year was The Merry Wives of Windsor which we all tried to read (or most of us) and none successfully. It is held in a park so there is no formal parking and you must sort of fend for yourself along streets and neighborhoods. This is all downtown so it can be a maze of one way streets which leads me to great confusion. We found a spot and it was roughly 3,000 miles away from the entrance of the park. Again, possibly a slight exaggeration. You see I wore flip flops.. and not the cushy kind but the ones that are simply a piece of sueded cardboard. The way down was not too bad... like I said it was 12 ft. going back up.. so going down was almost like sailing! My feet, my poor feet and the abuse I put them through. The play was funny with a touch of sweet which Mr. Shakespeare does so brilliantly and it was time to go home. In order to honor my promise to be honest I will say that on the way down that mosterous hill I was certain that my father would drive me to my car, if only I asked. Because he would worry about me.. because I am overweight.. and I would have the kids.. and it's dark.. and I am horrible with directions and downtown... and because he is my daddy..

So I asked and before my father could say 'yes of course' my lovely sister in Christ looked me in my face and told me to hoof it. My dear Pastor said... "wouldn't this be a good blog Niki?" She looked me in my face and ... DARED to hold me accountable... to say to me with her eyes and her subtle reminder that there is always opportunity to challenge ourselves in even the smallest of ways. (I love her dearly because she holds my feet to the fire when I need it most) My youngest grabbed my hand and said "I will be with you Mom - we will protect you" How lucky am I? We walked up the biggest damn hill in the world tonight.. and I huffed and I puffed and I will never wear flip flops to the park again, my feet are killing me... but people.. I walked that hill and it felt good.