Anxiety Attack

Her body was tense. Her hand squeezed the life out of my hand. She showed fear and looked at me like I was crazy and sending her to her demise. But I am getting ahead of myself. Let me back up.

Yesterday, Lisa was off work for a Memorial Day work holiday. So we took advantage of the time together, and having little responsibility, we decided to venture out into the world. Granny Bees was closed … which left breakfast in limbo. So we went to Courthouse Cafe in Rustburg. From there, we headed north and headed to George Washington National Forest and I was going to drive around a bit. I choose to go to Mount Pleasant trail and Cole Mountain, also known as Cold Mountain.

I once read this location, the saddle meadow, is unique as the east coast’s largest open meadow on a mountain that has panoramic views to the east and to the west. I wasn’t going to do the whole trail, just the short AT section from car to meadow. But getting to the AT parking spot up in the forest is not that easy.

Some background info … Lisa is a city girl. Hiking to her is from her office to the Starbucks down in the lobby. Her last job was in part of the office tower of the Dallas Galleria shopping center. That’s her environment. From our honeymoon, I knew then, hiking and outdoor was not her forte. I live with this and don’t push. And as far as driving, roads need lights, pavement, lines, and all the needed extras.

Here comes the anxiety. To get to where we were to start, it required a high clearance vehicle, possibly a 4-wheel drive, which I have. So up the rained out, gulleyed, rocky, choppy, and zig-zag fire road to the trail head. We jerked and bounced like a bobble-head on the dash of a low-rider with hydraulics in full motion. Lisa was freaking. Thinking we would breakdown in the middle of a forest miles from everything society offers – no help from anywhere – never tasting her Honey-Vanilla-Cinnamon-Latte-Skinny ever again.

And then I made her hike … egads. We didn’t come prepared (only one water bottle, not the best shoes, but we were only doing a 2 mile in and out total) … so we ventured out … and we made it. And she survived the hike and the ride too. And at the top, in the meadow, she stood there in awe of the beauty, the splendor, the views of God’s creation displayed in wonder. Her only comment … It was worth it!

Her only comment … It was worth it!

That statement, that philosophy or world view is powerful. We go through so much junk, so much anxiety so much struggle … and I get that. But in the end, we need to remember it will be worth it. Keep our eyes focus on the goals (school degree, work project, God honoring marriage, work out goals, hikes, and more).

Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Remain vigilant. Stay the course. No matter what you’re going through, look to where it is taking you. Keep the end in mind … and I hope you will say one day … it was worth it.