Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 25.09.2008 (Article Archived on 09.10.2008)

Once again, it is time to say good-bye to a couple of good friends. Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth Hill and Mike Cyr will be leaving.

Once again, it is time to say good-bye to a couple of good friends.  Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth Hill and Mike Cyr will be leaving.  To celebrate our last weekend together, the three of us along with Soo Matthews and Pete Gillies decided to go on a “mega-hike”.  Even the rain, especially after a tough, rainy hash the evening before (courtesy of Elizabeth)and a soggy hike last weekend, couldn’t deter us, although we procrastinated for a while, fortifying ourselves with hot tea before we headed out into the rain and clouds. 

We circumnavigated the mountain the long way – Invalids Path, Middletons Path, Bullocks Pond, behind Mountain Red Hill, The Ring, Aubrey’s Pass, Palmer’s Farm, The Pines, Nature Trail, Warpath and back on Scouts Path.  We slipped on muddy slopes, climbed up and down slippery rocks, backtracked when we hit an impasse in the form of a deep chasm, and battled our way through the thickest guava one could imagine. 

Thankfully the rain stopped after the first hour.  By the end of the hike, we’d only covered five miles according to the GPS, but it certainly felt like we had covered a lot more distance.  It was a tough hike in places, easy in others, but always fun.  Everyone had their slips, even a few falls, and a rather impressive Tarzan swing on a branch by yours truly when the muddy bank disappeared beneath me.  We arrived at our destination muddy, scratched and exhausted but with great memories.

Over a welcome cup of tea we relived the fun, and had to take pictures of the weary group on the cannon.  Mike Hill acted as photographer (as well as tea-maker!) and had to take photos with five different cameras!  Everyone wants to preserve these memories for the future.  I’m sure that hiking on Ascension will also leave us some scars on our legs to remind us of our time here.  I’m sure  that I’ll  look back at the marks when I’m old and it will bring a smile to my face when I remember the fun I had here.  It will remind me that I lived a full life, blessed with the joys that true friendships and times shared with those who care for us can bring to our lives.   

The true blessings in our lives are there in the little things; the times spent doing what we enjoy with those people who make us smile.   No matter how hard it rains, no matter how muddy the going gets, if there is someone there to make you laugh, and give you a helping hand back up when you slip, then you are truly blessed and have felt God’s love in your life.

For Elizabeth Hill and Mike Cyr, and for all the friends who have helped me through the rain, the fog, and pulled me up out of the muddy bits, thank you.  As you move on to new adventures, may your memories of Ascension and the good times you had here always bring a smile to your heart and soul.  May God forever bless you on your journeys.  May God watch over each and every one on us on our own travels, and bless us always with the gift of good and loving friends.