The stars at night are like fairy dust, there are so many. The vastness of the country, the green and golden plains, the silhouettes of sharp trees against immense, empty skies...you can feel your soul expanding. The animals - things you have only seen in the zoo, roaming freely, masters of their own space. Brightly-coloured birds popping out of the bush like confetti. From the tent, lying in your silken sleeping bag, just listening to all the sounds of the natural world - the calls and hoots and thudding of hoofs, the wind through the leaves, the crackle of the campfire. Absolutely magical. - Min

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Thinking of you all today

Dear Kilicrazies,

My daughter borrowed a book from the library recently on Hilary and Norgay's Mt Everest Adventure. It was a moving read, but the part that especially moved me was reading that both climbers buried a few personal belongings in the snow at the peak. Norgay left sweets and a present that his daughter had given him, as thanks to the spirits that guided them safely to the top.

i feel that way, too, that even though we did our preparations well, it was an act of grace that we got to the top. i'm usually self deprecating when i get praised for stuff, for anything. i'll laugh it off, or say "oh you are too kind" but when patients see the cert we got from our Kili climb (which i display in my office) and remark "Wow, you climbed Kilimanjaro?" admiringly, i'll say, "Yeah! i sure did!!". And when they say, "Wow, so proud of you" i'll say, "Yeah, i'm proud of me too":)

It's still one of the most life affirming experiences of my life, Kilicrazies, an experience i will always look back on with a mixture of gratitude, marvel and joy.

We had a great climbing company that took us up,we have great families who held the fort while we were gone, and said prayers for us. and i believe i climbed with the best people; people who never complained and were always cheerful despite the altitude sickness, the chlorine flavored water and the sleep deprivation.

Just wanted to tell you all that i was thinking of you all today.

Su

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