Remembering
Just over two years ago, I was regularly climbing, and was in the process of finding my hiking legs. Life was good, and I was creating my own adventures. Then everything came crashing down. I suddenly got a herniated disc in my lumbar spine, which rendered me barely capable of tying my own shoes, let alone do any activity more demanding than a careful walk. And so began a long journey of recovery, filled with both feelings of loss and hopelessness, but also joy and finally empowerment. For a long time I feared my life was permanently changed and that I would never be able to do any physical activity again. I though that I'd never be able to live out all the things I've wanted to for years, whether that be thru-hiking, climbing, ascending mountains, or even trying out skydiving. I spent long hours researching back injuries, going to physical therapy, and desperately trying to trust the process even when it seemed nothing was happening. I stayed home when friends and family went...