LJI Week 11: Halfway (to an After Picture)

[alycewilson]

This is my entry for Week 11 of LJ Idol. This week's topic is "Surgery often looks like murder if you judge it halfway through.”

Me, sweaty and strong, after a workout

Halfway (to an After Picture)

Frizzled hair, sweat-
beaded. Ruddy, puffy, muscles
strained and trembling. The work
leaves me breathless, my shirt
taut and pungent. Stained
with salt.

---

My mind is in so many places right now, but I always go with the strongest idea, the one I can realize more completely. But if I were going to ramble in a hundred other directions, I'd tell you about a hike I took with a small group of Scouts recently, going up at a steep angle for roughly two hours. No switchbacks. Just me reaching the point of breaking. My breath coming in ragged gasps, my legs buckling under me, my ankles and even little muscles in my feet on fire from the bed of rocks we climbed over.

The Scout leader, an old friend and the father of one of my son's best friends, hung back with me for awhile, talking about the state of the world. I told him, "I'm just so tired of evil winning." And he said to me something that reminded me of a story I once heard.

"What's the end point?" he asked me. "Nothing is over. We keep fighting."

We both acknowledged that maybe our brilliant, sensitive, kind-hearted sons will be the ones to bring about a cycle of healing. We are doing our part, raising them. Keeping strong in the face of challenges.

And I kept going. I kept climbing. Until the boys decided it was time to go home.

Light shining through the trees the morning after a difficult hike

Mood:

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Comments

[adoptedwriter]

"Nothing is over. We keep fighting." THIS! Hugs.
Evil sux.

[alycewilson]

Yes, it does. Thank you.

[drippedonpaper]

Wow, I am impressed by your muscled arms! You are doing great!!

And yes, the news has been so disheartening. My daughters went to a protest for Reproductive Rights this morning, in our state where all the rights are now gone :( Our kids CAN change the future.

I especially enjoyed your tree photo. The green is so vivid and beautiful!

[alycewilson]

Yay for your daughters! That gives me hope. I do believe kids can help change this future. The old white men won't be here forever.

[roina_arwen]

Gotta keep going strong!

[alycewilson]

Yes, we do!

[banana_galaxy]

I'm trying to be hopeful about the generation we're raising, too. But how kids will grow up also seems to vary quite a bit depending on where they're raised.

[alycewilson]

Absolutely. And I'm not naive enough to think there aren't some who are also learning the exact opposite message. But we've got to just keep trying to do the best we can.

[erulissedances]

Although I have hope, I'm not so sure that hope won't be buried by numbers of the brain-washed.

- Erulisse (one L)

[alycewilson]

There are plenty of moments when I feel the same. But I know there are a lot of us who feel otherwise, and that makes me feel better.

[bleodswean]

Getting strong, A! Don't be tired and don't give up. Life is wonderful and the world is full of hope.

[alycewilson]

Thank you! I know that, most days.

[ofearthandstars]

We have to keep hoping, and failing that, keep working to provide care in our communities and families and with one another and ourselves. <3 Take care and keep climbing, A.

[alycewilson]

Agreed! Absolutely. And the best part about that is it gives you something positive and concrete to work towards.

[dsrmousey]

Look at those muscles! You worked hard for those! I'll get you were sore the day after too! Nice work hanging in there mama! Peace~~~Desiree

[alycewilson]

Thanks! It's definitely been a lot of sweat (which one instructor says is fat crying)!

[dadi]

*hugs*

[alycewilson]

Thank you. Much needed and appreciated.

[favoritebean_writes]

The scout leader's end point makes a lot of sense to me. I mean, that seems to be the motto of one side as of late, the baddies. They keep coming, don't they?

Maybe they hope we'll give up, and I think many already have.

Your piece is very thought provoking. Thank you. I needed to read this.

[alycewilson]

You're welcome. And I needed to read all these positive comments of support. It's been a rather low week.

[mollywheezy]

Loved this! Especially "Nothing is over. We keep fighting." And that you're fighting by raising great kids! :)

[alycewilson]

That's the goal! My son is amazing enough to make up for quite a bit.