Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 12.03.2009 (Article Archived on 26.03.2009)
I should have gone diving. I’m sure this is what everyone thought last Sunday when we ran into trouble on a hike.
2nd Sunday of Lent
I should have gone diving. I’m sure this is what everyone thought last Sunday when we ran into trouble on a hike. My usual diving buddy was busy working on the Bug, and so I decided to move a hike that had been planned for the afternoon to the morning. Off I set out with two friends, promising to show them the new letterbox location in Goat Hole Ravine. The plan was to take pictures and notes for Neil McFall to use to write up for the supplement to the Ascension Walks Book.
You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men…… and hikers on Ascension. Sometimes things just don’t go the way you planned. Goat Hole Ravine is a very steep trail at times, involving a considerable amount of climbing and boulder hopping.
Part way up the steepest bit, one of my companions decided to have a rest and then head back down. We continued on in the heat, well armed with water and determination. By the time we got to the top of the steepest bit, my remaining hiking buddy was starting to feel unwell, although he contributed his headache to another cause. Pretty soon we determined that this was far enough for him. While he rested in the shade, I continued up to the letterbox to finish my task of note and picture taking.
When I returned it was to find that he hadn’t improved, in fact he was worse, and I realized that he was suffering from heat stroke. It was evident that we were not going to get down without assistance. Thank heavens I had my radio. I called base security and asked them to contact a couple of people who, having done this hike before, would know exactly where we were.
What followed was a very quick response on the part of the Major (too quick it turned out!) and young fellows from the Fire Department. The lady waiting at the bottom was starting to suspect there was a problem when we were gone so long. She knew for sure when rescue vehicles started arriving!
We eventually were able to hike back down the mountain, although the Major’s phenomenally fast climb took its toll, and we ended up with two casualties. We all made it down safe and sound, and under our own steam. So, this tale has a happy ending. It even has a few humourous moments involving stuck rescue vehicles, and wondering why we didn’t get pictures at certain embarrassing moments!
What all this has taught me is that no matter how tough we think we are, or how experienced we might be at doing something, it is no guarantee that we will not need help at some point in our lives. We may be strong, we may be determined, we may be any of these things, but something can come along and knock us down. And without help, we will not be getting back up. We need to recognize these moments, and we need to be ready to ask for help.
For help is always out there. We see it all the time in a small community like Ascension. We see it in the small difficulties of our days, and we see it in the tragic times. I am deeply appreciative of all the kind words of condolence and comfort and the hugs that I have received in recent weeks while dealing with the tragedy in my family. I appreciate the help given to us by those who answered our call for assistance last week. I appreciate it every day when I am the recipient of kindness, friendly greetings, and helpful acts.
Sometimes it is difficult for us to ask for help. We may feel that we will appear weak, or are being vulnerable. Our pride might get in the way. But it takes strength to recognize when we need help, to ask for it, and to accept it. We will all be on both sides of the story at different times in our lives. Sometimes we are the one giving assistance, comfort and help, sometimes we are the ones in need of the same.
So in this second week of Lent, a time when we are reevaluating our faith and our lives, let us remember one of my favourite passages, from the letter of St. Paul to the Romans that begins the second reading this week: “With God on our side who can be against us?”. God works through all of us, in our kindness to others, our caring, and our helping. And He works through us by giving us the strength to know when to ask for this from our partners in faith and in this world.
May God bless us all as we journey through Lent. And may He give a special blessing to those who coordinated help and came to our aid when we needed it. Jay, Nirella, Ryan, Troy and Donovan; the phrase “you were a Godsend” is true.
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