Why I'm Happier Than Usual This Fourth - Monday, July 4, 2011

Naturally, with the health issues I contend with on a daily basis, just waking up alive every day is something to be celebratory about; however, there are a coupla extra reasons I am a bit perkier than usual on this most historical of national holidays here in the United States.

Yesteday, for the 1st time ever since I re-learned how to walk last summer, I did something I wasnt sure I could ever do again - I hiked half-way up Mt. Wachusett and I made it, I actually made it! At first I wasnt even sure I was gonna attempt it, especially since I majorly despise heat-n-humidity of any kind; but, my co-worker and her wife who both went on this quest with me explained that although heat does travel upward, when you're up on a mountain, it's like going into a totally different atmosphere and they werent kidding. As soon as they parked their car at the entrance closest to the tiny town of Princeton, Massachusetts, up we went and as we were making the trek, my co-worker reminded me a few times "We dont have to do this today" to which I thanked her for saying that but then quickly responded with "You're right, we dont have to, but I need to, at least for myself."

So we did it. I did it. And I still cant believe it but damn, it felt great to walk on those trails again, meandering through the trees and listening to all the different kinds of birds singing (Cardinals, Chickadees and White-Breatest Nuthatches are still my ultimate favorites), all the while checking to make sure no ticks decided to plant their little asses on my immune-suppressed body! Granted, as lower as the heat-n-humidity was from the base of the mountain, sweat still ran down the crack of my arse faster than Niagara Falls, as well as the rest of my body, but it was well worth it. The sense of accomplishment and the independence from the fear of not being able to do it because of my previously damaged right leg was beyond exhilarating. My next goal is to make it to the very top this coming Fall.

Yet another reason I have a bit more flounce to my stride this Fourth of July is something that makes me grin from ear to ear, for it may appear immaterial to others but for me its not because I do genuinely care about others. Last night when I was browsing through my notifications on Facebook, I rather unexpectedly (yet most surprisingly) discovered that I was extremely mistaken regarding a few people whom I previously thought did not care for me too much. In fact, quite the opposite and to this very moment, it still bowls me over. Perhaps there are more folks out there, who like myself, really do realize how ridiculous and prepubescent alotta the minute indifferences and tiny misunderstandings we all encounter online really are. 

Regardless, I've always said that if my perceptions/opinions about any human being are wrong, I''ll be the first person standing in line to admit it. There isnt anybody out there who is 100% correct 100% of the time regarding their impressions of our fellow human beings. So even though I wont name the specific individuals of whom I am speaking, I would like to say to them anyways that I'm very thankful that I was wrong about them and I hope that somehow we all will turn out to be lifelong friends. I really mean that.

Earlier today a few of my online friends asked how I was gonna celebrate the Fourth of July this year and I forgot to them that this year I'll be doing what I dont get to do every year, even though I've lived here in Boston since early, 1995 - I'm walkng down to the Esplanade to watch and listen to the Boston Pops concert at the Half-Shell. This land of ours, America, may not be the most perfect country in the world, and she may occassionally be teetering on the brink of total chaos, but she always holds on with great promise and just like the rest of us, I think she deserves a Happy Birthday celebration too. This piece will probaly autopost itself a few minutes before I return home after sitting on some crowded T-rail car with the throngs of traveling masses who also will be eager to return hometoo, so I'd like to wish all my readers and everyone out there a safe-n-happy Fourth of July celebration. And as always, thank you for reading.

Posted via email from Luctor Et Emergo