I QUIT

“I Quit” the title of a New York Times article jumped out at me this morning and took me back 30 years to this very day when my husband and I, having quit our jobs, and cashed out my retirement fund for air tickets, jammed into five suitcases the remains of our material possessions after the house had been picked clean by friends, relatives and neighbors, and quit the only country we had known, landing on the other side of the world in a frigid land to start life anew with our 9 and 6 year old children.

Knowing what I know now, would I do it over? Reflection is an interesting trait that human beings possess and according to Socrates, without it life is not worth living.

I walked away a few more times in the ensuing years, pursuing a life that has shown itself to be increasingly rich with meaning, and to that end I continue, but pause today with gratitude and love to the family we were 30 years ago, and with the knowledge that we are still together in a parallel universe.

Bell Rock Pathway

January 5, 2020
Bell Rock Pathway, Sedona, Arizona.
4919 feet at the top

The 4 mile loop around Bell and Court House is heavily trafficked and is what we intended to do when Andrew, Arturo and I started out at about 9 am. However, walking on a level path becomes pretty monotonous especially with the Bell in close proximity at all times. We thought we might scramble up at some point but couldn't wait to get to the easier northern side, so enticing were the slopes of the Bell. Andrew and Arturo started up the side of the Bell and we decided to meet farther ahead. After about five or ten minutes, I decided I didn't want to miss out on the adventure and started up the side as well. It didn't take long to catch up with them.

The rock sides are quite smooth and steep and one has to be patient to find the one that suits the hiker the best as there are many paths and cracks leading up to the next level. I must admit I needed a hand up in a couple places, but other than that fared well. My hiking shoes had excellent grip and scaling the sides weren't that difficult. However, about halfway up, I decided the let the boys continue without me. The view where I waited was terrific. Stretching for miles in front of me. A yellow-robed anglo swami sat on a rock nearby. His Sanskrit chants and clapping adding to the enchantment of the place.

 The lower red circle is as high as I got. The circle above is as far as Andrew and Arturo got.