Further reflections
Initially, the retelling makes it sound like a terrible time. Hordes of ruthless mosquitos that bit through clothing, one person falling through a beaver dam into recent snowmelt, 3 sleepless, freezing cold nights in non-enclosed tents on slanted ground that made sleeping bags slide right out from under, a sprained ankle, a forgotten toothbrush, relieving ourselves in a hole in the woods in the Leave No Trace-style (i.e. using leaves for toilet paper), grainy, fast-cooling morning coffee, skin covered by layers of dirt, sweat, DEET and sunscreen…
That was real. There was also a simultaneous, alternate reality: the sound of wind in treetops, of water falling fast and furious in some distant location, of a lost, lone seagull crying. Natural, untouched beauty for as far as the eye could see. The pleasure of bushwhacking our way up a mountainside, trampling ferns and flowers, crunching on pine needles and rotten logs, feeling sure no one’s ever been where we’re going – figuratively and literally. The feeling of lightness suspended in a hammock over rocky ground. Refreshment on a hot day courtesy of icy lake water on tired feet. The discombobulation at first, of having nothing to do and the inability to do anything that falls into the normal category of “productive.” The sight and sound of women enjoying themselves and each other with no pretense, little to no judgment (admittedly, it was noted who was a mosquito magnet and who was not, in an “oh-to-be-like-you” sort of way) and offering the best of themselves despite – perhaps because of? – their mutual suffering.
The stories, though? They were the realest, best part of this adventure, hands-down. Ten women, each taking a crack at vulnerability, deciding what and how much of life to share in the 10 minutes allotted. And the audience eagerly awaiting the details of what makes the woman tick, where she’s been, the deeper parts of her identity. Stories unraveled of broken homes, struggling marriages, financial distress, mental illness of loved ones. Life-altering events, confusion over life purpose and the future, emotional, physical and verbal abuse by parents and spouses, heartbreak caused by the choices of children. Also, victory over circumstance, renewed spiritual, physical and relational health, bravery in the face of uncertainty, faith despite circumstances. And then, the audience enveloping each woman with encouragement, time after time, story after story, affirming who she is, what she’s been through, and praying thanksgiving for her life and guidance, strength and wisdom for her future.
Beautiful to witness, to participate in. Connections that 5 one-on-one coffee dates (times 9 women) couldn’t likely produce and that all those hordes of mosquitoes couldn’t prevent.
I will be forever grateful and in awe of these women that were brave enough to face not only their physical fears: Can I hike that far? Can I carry 40+ pounds of stuff on my back? Can I go without sleep? Can I go to the bathroom in the woods? What if there are bears? What if I get sick from the iodine-purified water? What if I’m freezing, wet and miserable? But also their fears of being seen, heard and known with nothing to hide behind, no make-up, clean clothes, good hair, cute shoes or admirable accessories, nothing to soften the reality. By a group of strangers. That they might not even like. And women, no less! To risk being judged, clashed with, competed with, left out, gossiped about. All who have survived junior high are familiar with the possibilities inherent in spending 4 days with a bunch of women.
But these girls risked it. They risked life and limb and their hearts, too. They overcame fear. And far from enduring any ugly fallout, they were, instead, loved and supported, even rewarded for their bravery in allowing the rest of us the privilege of knowing them, in participating in the good, the bad and the ugly of the trip, in being a contributing member of a whole cast of real-life, stinky, dirty, joyful, courageous characters woven into this short chapter of 10 women’s uniquely captivating life stories.
**Photo courtesy of Ginny Cooney**
