Onward! Upward!!

In my late twenties, I had been married to a man who was a very strict, religious man. Wonder why that didn't work out?! I remember on one outing, we were in Sedona driving through the back roads with my son, age 8 and my bonus daughter, age 10. The three of us were begging for the car to stop and let us walk around and see the beautiful woods up close. Finally, the car stopped and out of that car we climbed. It was beautiful but I wanted to see where this little trail I happened to notice would lead, so off I go with the two kids following me. We weren't even 15 yards up the trail when the sound of "COME BACK...WE'RE LEAVING" started. I'm standing there in disbelief and made a decision that I was going to see where this trail ended. Afterall, when will we be back, if ever? When was the weather going to be more perfect as it was as well as it being the time of day where the sun was going to set within the hour? So, me and the kids continued. The yelling got louder, and my little poor bonus daughter was afraid, so she turned back to go with her father. I didn't blame her. Then there were two. We hiked upward and onward and the trail got thinner but our excitement got larger. Not only were we on an adventure hike, but we were not sure how angry the yeller was going to be when we got back. About 10 minutes into the hike, we came to a small clearing at the top of that hill and the end of the trail. My son and I sat on an old log that had fallen probably from an ancient storm years ago. Across the clearing was the most beautiful sight laid out before us. All colors of the Fall season were over and around the hills for miles. It was breathtaking! I decided at that moment to look at my son and say "sometimes in life, you have to determine if a goal is worth the price you are going to pay. Then, you do it". When we returned to the car, I have to say that I really don't remember what the price was, the words said, or even the face of the yelling voice. But I'll never forget that view and that time my son and I sat on that log, a small breeze blowing on our faces and the reassurance that this was so worth the impending lecture we were going to hear upon our return. My son and I have been on several more adventure hikes, walks, and trips and no matter the cost, they have all been so worth it...