Gaps are real. So we discussed yesterday. And as we look at gaps, they vary greatly in their size. They may be minor … like tiny breaks in rocks, small creeks to step across on a trek, little nicks and scratches on a table top, rubber connections on bridges to allow expansion in weather, taking a month off between jobs, and so forth. Or they may be huge … like the Grand Canyon, the Darian Gap in Colombia (a destitute and dangerous gap in the connection between the North and South American continents.)
Sometimes gaps in genealogical characteristics may go decades or centuries. Other may not have any gap at all – your child looking just like you!
We also need to recognize some gaps are easy to overcome, others are difficult and dangerous. Evel Kenievel’s jumping Snake River Canyon is totally different than a 5 car jump at the county fair.
On my first full hike of Old Rag Mountain Trial Loop, I noticed a lot of gaps. Scrambles with rocks to cross to connect the dirt trail, creeks to step over or to cross by using the man made bridges, and small crevices to descend to connect to the next part of the blazed trail. However, there was a particular spot with a deep crevice. You had to cross this gap to complete the hike. I looked at options.
First, We can ignore the gap and pretend it isn’t there. Keep walking as if all was normal. This is neither safe nor wise. To walk normally would mean a plummet. Probably not deep enough to kill, but definitely deep enough to break something. or have a 137 Hour moment. (see the movie)
Second, we can be defeated and just stop. By stopping, we would be trapped, neither progressing forward or retreating backward. Stuck. Too often, this is what so many do in life … get stuck and give up.
Third, we can go around the gap. So, I walked east. I walked west. There was no way around this spot on the mountain trek. I looked at options in the crevice to find an easier spot. Oh, I could’ve gone all the way around (back down the mountain, go around the whole location, come in from the opposite side and picked the trial back up. Hours wasted. And what’s the point of hiking some trail if you are going to do 95% of it, thus not really hiking the trail.
Fourth, we can retreat. This is similar to the second one. But it could be trying for a fresh start. This might be healthy, Sometimes obstacles are there for a reason. I read the Darian Gap is too dangerous for most of humanity to try on their own. So don’t do it. Sometimes we have to die to self to get something that is even better.
Fifth, we can try to be creative and build something to get across it. This is so American. Be innovative. Come up with something brilliant. Be the MacGyver. Maybe it’s the ‘fixer’ genetic code in the male, but this wouldn’t work on old rag. We are not to leave a trace, and a bridge might be a trace.
Sixth, we make the leap. This might work. Or it might not.
In my case, I looked all around. I couldn’t find an option I liked. So I took my backpack and threw it across the crevice. Note: the crevice wasn’t extreme. A good long stride on one of my height should, should, get across. But I have a fake hip, a bit unsteady gait, and nervousness was setting in. One bad wobble, and this weeble would fall down.
As I said, I threw my backpack across and was determined I would make it across. I stood there, and stood a bit longer. After about 60 seconds, I determined I would never see that back pack again. The gap might as well have been 1000 miles across. I liked that Osprey backpack. At least my keys were in my pocket.
I was about to turn around when a 6’8” hiker came up behind me, took a long stride, and continued on the other side of the gap. I thought quickly and called out to him and asked him to throw my backpack to me. He looked quizzically, asked what was up. I explained my hip and my scenario.
He stepped up to the gap, looked at me, and reached out his hand back across the gap. I took his hand. I stepped out and he pulled me across.
My backpack was back in my possession. The gap was overcome. The seventh option reveled itself. VICTORY was mine.
Seventh, get assistance. Yes, a bit humbling. Yes, it requires someone willing to help. And yes, you can’t do this alone.
I could go back through the seven options and look at the gaps in life, gaps that need to be overcome. Occasionally, we might be able to overcome without help. But we need to come to the reality that we very often need other people in our lives. And additionally, there may be people out there, struggling with a gap, and they might need your help.
You might need a hand reaching out to you. You might need to reach your hand out to someone else. Give your time? Share some wisdom? Serve with action? Support a financial need?
Such is today’s lesson. Gaps can be overcome.
Muddy Shoes by Todd 
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