10 Comments
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Mark Shindle's avatar

One of your best stories Ms. Cunningham, well done!!

Frans Diepstraten's avatar

Carl Jung has me figured out I feel. As the body weakens, and the ability to climb a mountain at any time has become somewhat tenuous, and for some mysterious reason the drive to go out and kill (hunt, in case someone misses the reference and wants to report me) life’s certainties have become a lot less that, and I find my soul getting gentler, more understanding. Which hopefully keeps “grumpy old bastard” status at bay a little longer.

Christine Cunningham's avatar

Do you also find more "presence over purpose" when going out? Lately, when it comes to mountains, it has been more of a commune than any sense of destination.

Frans Diepstraten's avatar

Being out is more important than getting anywhere. I always felt that it would take a body malfunction to get the mind to accept this. I hope that once everything heals up, I can keep this accepting, quieter mindset. Climb towards a peak, but get lost in a hanging basin underneath. Find a look-out and just sit instead of run towards the ridge to see if the view is better there. But occasionally set a goal and go for it hard! Yin and Yang.

Alice Jones Webb's avatar

Beautiful as always.

I particularly like this line: Until I find a better way to be human...

Christine Cunningham's avatar

Thank you, I'm working on it!

Timothy Pearson's avatar

A wonderful essay for the weekend! Thanks!

Christine Cunningham's avatar

Thank you for the kind words!