Reflections of Mt. Kiliminjaro...

What do you gain by climbing one of the seven summits?

Physically, it was the single hardest thing I've done besides child birth. Everything since has felt easy in comparison. I came back with a new appreciation for hot showers, toilet seats, and mattresses and an overwhelming sense of having accomplished a lifelong goal.
I also made new friends; Allen who served us hot drinks in our tents each morning and David who quoted "Napoleon Dynamite" and made us laugh as we toiled towards the summit. Marissa and Scott shared their honeymoon with us, and Sylvain, our Frenchman, put tears in our eyes with his hilarious one liners. Helen took her stuffed "glow-worm" to the top and got engaged to Ansel on her return to South Carolina. We've all got our fingers crossed Robert will soon have a job and are hopeful Mustafa will be successful summitting Everest. And I know Heather and Tyler will have great stories to tell when they go back to school in the fall.

But most important, was the shared experience with my son. He was mature, engaging, funny and focused, and horribly embarassed by his mom who cried when he reached the summit. He grew into a man before my eyes. He now talks of other climbs, among them "the big one", Everest. I told him he'll have to do that one on his own. I've climbed my mountain.

Pictures are attached- along with video. Thanks for allowing me to share the experience and to all who set goals....I wish you luck and perseverence in achieving them.