Thursday, December 30, 2010

Looking for Peter Pan


Climbing trees and traipsing through brambles was a natural part of my childhood. As an only child, I found ways to entertain myself. I spent hours outside, making believe and playing pretend. Cuts and scrapes were proudly held trophies of my games.

As I grew older, I played less with trees and more with eyeshadow and lipstick. High heels were all I climbed into. I soon forgot my love of warm summer afternoons underneath a shady tree. Once a sworn devotee of Peter Pan, vowing never to grow up, I walked away from Neverland and forgot how to fly.

At 28, I've realized that our obsession with adult things like our cars and clothes and jobs aren't evil in and of themselves, but they can't let us forget the joy of childish treasures such as walking barefoot in the grass.

Hiking isn't always easy, but one thing it does is remind me that I should stop and appreciate small things more often. I need to fill my life with more things that me bring joy and silliness.

7 comments:

  1. Hello from the Sheffield Family (your ride into Helen). Found your blog and we're reading back through your posts. Very cool. Hope you are having a great time and keep on posting. Shoot out a note if you need a ride and we'll come shuttle you...it will give us an excuse to come hike...of course you'll have to ride with the kids again!

    Take care- Darrell and Melissa and the gang

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  2. Actually, we are headed back up to the trail tomorrow morning (Sunday). If you're free, great, if not, no worries. It was great meeting you, and thank you, again. Happy New Year.

    -Niki

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  3. Sorry we missed seeing you off. Best wishes with the weather and the trail. You guys are doing great and I can't wait to see the two of you standing on Katahdin! Keep posting and get ready to cross the Smokies!

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  4. Hey Nikki - great to see you are underway and getting along. Your mom came into the restaurant last night and filled us in on your progress. Glad you sent the shovel back. =) We all love you and send our best. ©

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  5. Sure hope you are somewhere warm and not out in the snow somewhere...The Sheffield Family

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  6. Sheffields, no worries. It was great meeting you. We've been in Franklin during all the snow and will be back on trail once we get our snowshoes in.

    To all my Nightlinger's friends, I miss y'all and hope everything is great. We're having a lot of fun and enjoying cutting down a bit on weight. :)

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  7. You are such a gifted writer. "High heels are all I climbed into." I love that line. I feel like I'm experiencing the trail with you.

    When you reach the New england area, let me know. I definitely want to be there!

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