Is it Worth it?

Earlier in the day preparing for our Labor Day venture didn't seem worth it. When The Beloved and I mentioned the word hike to our children the moans and groans abounded. They all instantly contracted getting ready slowness and I felt like I needed the world's most powerful magnet to wrench my children into the van. This was going to be fun. 

When every one's seat belts were fastened the questions began.

How long is this hike? (I'm not sure, about 2 miles) Two miles?! Are you kidding me? Are we going to eat first? (We just fed you lunch.) Well then, are we eating afterward? (I'm sure we'll eat.) But are we going out to eat, or eating at home?!

This was going to be fun.

The travel time to our Cascade Springs hike was longer than I had anticipated and taking those winding curves in our mammoth twelve passenger van (all while diffusing arguments from the back seats) wasn't comforting anyone. The Beloved announced that we were never doing this again and in that moment I silently agreed. 

This had better be fun.

When we arrived at the main, lower parking lot it was filled to the brim and there wasn't room for our beast-mobile. More groaning ensued when the kids heard that we'd have to start our hike a little further away at the top parking lot.

Gosh, this may not be fun.

As we started walking down the path Ruckus' perfect nine year old hand grasped mine tight. 

Sweetrotten proclaimed that she loved hiking. I watched her handle the bag she had packed with care as she removed her water bottle to quench her thirst. I could tell she felt very responsible.  

Further down the trail I observed Lou stopping at nearly every stream to run his hand through the ripples. 

Moo was more focused on finding the perfect weed to hang from his mouth then on what was happening in the water or the trail.

And Little C had his head phones in.

Until the Baby looked up at him and said, "Do you like the hiking?"

Little C - "What?"

Baby - "I love the hiking? Do you like the hiking?"

And with a big smile Little C pleased her by saying, "Yes, I like the hiking." 

And then she replied, "Then, Come on, Man!"

Toward the end of the trail The Beloved read a sign that said "edible grapes" and passed them out to Lou and Little C. I laughed as the kid's faces showed that they were a little sour.

I admired The Beloved as he then tickled the kids with weeds and raced with them up the hills. 

When the hike had come to an end the kids couldn't believe it was over! 

We ended the day feasting at Tony's Tacos and then walking across the street to Granny's for an ice cream cone. The boys arm wrestled at the picnic tables while we waited for our treats, and the girls danced to the Steve Miller Band songs playing from the loud speaker. I may have danced too. 

This day was more than fun.

So, the analogy. While in preparation mode some things just don't seem worth it. You're not happy, your family's not happy, it's not easy nor comfortable, and you're not sure if the well mapped out plan is going to have a happy ending. 

But keep trying. Keep enduring. Because eventually you'll be dancing to the Steve Miller Band with your girls, watching the men in your family arm wrestle, while eating the most delicious Grasshopper milk shake ever. 

And then you'll discover that even though all you wanted was just a little happiness and fun, what you really received was joy.

Passing out grapes

Moo with his perfect weed.