Paul and I are very fortunate to live in a  beautiful place. The ocean is a ten minute walk from our house and a nature trail  filled with the most gorgeous redwoods and lush vegetation is five minutes in the opposite direction. Often times Paul and I walk along the beach or hike through the trees and hills. This morning we trekked through the latter, making our way up the trails to what is known around here as “The climb to the top of the world” because of its breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains and the ocean.

It rained the past few days so the paths were muddy and slippery.   I was fearful of tripping so I kept my gaze on the road in front of me. It was when I was nearing the end of our hike that I realized I hadn’t really taken notice of my surroundings. I was too worried about falling to fully absorb the breathtaking views and vistas before me. Paul is the complete opposite. A lover of nature and true outdoorsman, he is well trained and experienced in any  environment plus he is much more familiar with the terrain  since he has lived near this park much longer than I have. At the end of the trail there was a steep downward slope. Paul grasped my hand and encouraged me to ”Just keep going, I’ve got you. Pretend you are skiing.” ( A sport I suck at by the way.) I navigated the hill with ease and confidence because I knew he would catch me if I fell. Later, when we were at home in front of the fire sipping wine I couldn’t help but think, “What a great metaphor for life? To have a partner who will encourage me to face adventures and try new things knowing that he will always be there to support me.” Maybe now I can take the time to enjoy the scenery. I’m on top of the world.