Make your comeback

So far this year while hiking, I’ve had two minor physical incidents. This was out of the ordinary for me, but I easily and quickly recovered from both.  I had one ankle twist that dropped me to the ground. And one nasty shin scrape after slipping on a large boulder. Frankly, both shook me a bit. Though trips on rocks and tree roots are regular occurrences on the trail, these were reminders to me that there is always a chance it could be worse.  

Eight years ago, nearly to the day, Tim and I went hiking in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. On that particular day, we chose a trail in RMNP. A quiet area. No gate. No Ranger. And in fact, there were only a few other cars parked in the lot. We honestly knew very little about where we were other than a trail I’d found on a black and white, printed map at our VRBO.

We were taken off stride shortly after parking our car by posted signs regarding a missing person. He was last known to be hiking in the area and hadn’t been heard from in 5 days.  Right next to the posted sign was a food storage locker. The label noted, “bears frequent this area day and night.” We felt uneasy about all of this. We were new to this wilderness. No, not just new. We were completely green. Retrospectively, I realize, we were not prepared.

I am a lot more prepared for hiking than I was eight years ago. I research. I educate myself. I carry certain things with me for protection and for “just in case.” I hike a few times a week during the good season. I hike at high elevation above tree line, in the plains, and in the high desert.  No matter where I am hiking in Colorado there will be rocks. Lots of rocks on which to trip, twist, and slip.  There are other dangers out there too.  Weather, exposed terrain, animals - mountain lion is the one possibility that can put me on edge. Bear. Rattlesnake. Moose. For me that’s the order of anxiety.

My recent shin scrape reminded me that I have not been carrying my first aid kit. It hurt. It looked nasty. And I had three more miles to hike back to my car.  I would have liked to clean it. Maybe bandage it. But I just had to carry on grateful that it wasn’t worse, and knowing I would have a new scar with a memory.

Being prepared is risk mitigation. It doesn’t mean we always avoid hurt or pain.  But part of being prepared is the ability to repair. Not only am I carrying the right tools, but am I strong enough emotionally, mentally and physically to make a comeback?

For a while after Tim’s death, I felt invincible. I thought there was nothing that could hurt me, because I was already dealing with the worst situation I had ever known. Not exactly a rational thought, but it is hard to be rational in the fog of grief.

How do we prepare ourselves against hurt or pain? And can we really prepare for loss? The loss of someone that we love. Or the loss of some part of our life that we rely on, need, or cherish. I don’t know that we really can, specifically, prepare for this. But, I know we can do things that will help us stay physically and mentally strong, and that matters. That strength can help you get up off the floor after a tumble. Or after heart breaking news.

Returning home, after my shin scrape, I dug the first aid kit out of the bottom of a drawer. I tossed out the crumpled band aids and the expired items. I even added some new things that got me excited. My stainless-steel toothpick and tweezers, perfect for splinters! I have also replaced my expired bear spray. The kit is now refreshed and repackaged. This is preparation. This is risk mitigation.

Where is your proverbial first aid kit? Are the contents expired? Is anything important missing? Go look for it. Give it a refresh. If you don’t have the right tools go get them. Step more confidently into your day knowing that if something happens, as minor as a scrap, or as big as a heartbreak, that you already have tools to support you, to help you get up off the ground, and to make your comeback.