The View From Here - Wichita Mountains

Jun 10

My dad used to take my brothers and me hiking every summer, and I fell in love with that sense of triumph when we reached the top. I can still hear my dad say, “Now that’s a sight,” just before my brothers called him away to find some lizard or snake that had darted into a bush.

The older I got, the more I fell in love with hiking—and the more I slowed down to take in the beauty around me. I initially wrote this to tell you how vibrant the wildflowers were after two weeks of rain, and how the breeze worked with my sweat-drenched clothes to cool my already sunburnt skin. How prideful I felt when I made it to the top and sat down for half an hour to enjoy the beauty that is Oklahoma, snacking on my protein bar.

But this was my first hike of the summer, and as I sat on the mountaintop, I couldn’t help but reflect on the past year and a half.

I survived heartbreak, depression, vindictive individuals, and a pandemic.

But I gained so much more.

So here is a gentle reminder:

Forgive often.

Love unconditionally.

Be true to yourself.

And remember your blessings in the .

Recommendations:

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge