After months of dreading the day, time continued to pass and now it’s official – I am a part of the thirties club. ?
I had a packed weekend full of love, celebrating, saying “see you later”, hiking and lots of food.
The weekend began with attending a wedding. It was blessing to be present as two former youth received the beautiful Sacrament of Matrimony. Please say a prayer for them as they begin their life together as a family.
The evening continued on by meeting friends for dinner at Don Juan’s to celebrate two birthdays: Joe and mine. Sadly, our group picture didn’t turn out well enough to be posted.
That night we also said see you later to our friends, the Roberts, who are relocating to CO. Pray for them, too.
First thing the next morning, we dropped the Curriers off at the airport so they can check in with their birthmother and await the arrival of baby C. Keep all of them in your prayers too as baby C will likely be born any day now!
Then we ventured out to the Mailbox Peak trailhead. Rex and I hadn’t hiked all summer and all I wanted to do for my birthday was go hiking. We are way out of shape so that hike kicked our butts but I am glad we did it and summited.
As expected, by the end we were so filthy, sweaty and dirty. It was exactly how I wanted to ring in my 30’s. People call it dirty thirty, right?
Hiking brings so much peace and tranquility. I love relishing in God’s majesty and creation. I also enjoy the feeling of being away and outdoors.
If you click the link to Mailbox Peak, then you’ll read the stats: 9.4 round trip and 4,000 elevation gain. The last half-mile you meet up with the old trail and is a 960 elevation gain to the summit. By the time we got to that point, we had already hiked almost 5 miles. I looked up and honestly didn’t think we were going to make it.
part one of the last half-mile
part two of the last half-mile. almost there.
But with one step in front of the other, we made it!
“The higher we go, the better we shall hear the voice of Christ.”- Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
Sunday was my actual birthday (feast of St. Monica) and we were sore from our hike, so I felt like an old lady. ? But we started off the day with Mass where I received a special birthday blessing from Fr. Cody afterwards.
Then we made our rounds visiting my family and Rex’s family.
You may already know that I’ve been dreading this milestone birthday for well over 18 months. I know, it’s a little embarrassing but read this old post to know why exactly. I had joked for months that I was going to have a wake to mourn my 20’s.
Needless to say, despite not really looking forward to turning thirty it hasn’t been so bad. I don’t feel that much different and I know I have a great deal to be thankful for. Perhaps, 30 really is the new 20! ?
Yet still, turning 30 is a not-so-friendly reminder that our arms are empty and my biological clock is ticking.
Weeks leading up to the big day, I couldn’t help but to think of Dominic Michael. I would have been six months pregnant and not able to do that hike. My soreness and aching back would have been from his kicking rather than hiking. I should have been gaining weight as my #babybump grew but instead I just have extra grief weight. I should have been preparing for the new school year and a nursery in our new home, but instead I only prepared for one.
Mt Rainer peaking through
As much as I enjoy hiking, it’s also a reminder of things I’m able to do because I am not pregnant. Along with drinking alcohol or coffee and eating deli meat, soft cheeses or seafood. The world has harsh ways of keeping my grief close, which many may not really realize.
Hiking has always reminded me that although a mountain may appear too big to climb- with one step at a time and lots of prayer you can overcome the switchbacks and elevation gain toward the summit and reach a point of consultation. Similarly, in my grief with prayer and taking it one day at a time, I know I will reach the summit of my mountain and the shroud of grief will be lifted.
Some may be envious that I can go on hikes, drink alcohol and not worry about what I eat. While others may even hate being pregnant or tell me that it sucks being pregnant (yep, that actually happened, knowing my story. Time and prayer has healed the hurt so I would encourage you to say a prayer for this woman and others that share her sentiment). Then there are those who are loving, understanding, and compassionate.
Yet through it all, I am grateful for my story and all the baby-bumps along the way. It has helped shape me into the woman I am today. My story continues to be written by the Almighty One and I look forward to looking back on this milestone birthday. I hope and I pray that the life I’ve been blessed with can inspire others and bring about more advocates. Whatever your mountain is, may you cling to Christ and trust consolation is coming.
Praying for you,
Rachel
“Nothing is far from God” – St. Monica
Patron of wives, widows and mothers. St. Monica, pray for us.