Walter's Wiggles

by Michele Boy | August 15, 2024

Have you heard of Walter’s Wiggles? It’s a long switchback trail in Zion National Park that leads you to Angel’s Landing. The view is breathtaking. 
The steep uphill zigzag climb can give you a few moments wondering if it is worth it to go on. 
I think about that in other areas of my life. Have you started some things and almost given up because the difficulty level seemed too hard? 
  The truth is no matter how steep it is, you can only do one day at a time. If you look at the road ahead you can be tempted to give up.  Remembering the goal can keep your focus and drive continuing in the right direction.  
  Summer was crazy and fast! Cramming all I could to finish certain things before the start of school caused me anxiety, unrest, and a series of mistakes. I felt like I was treading water but about to go under. 
I kept thinking how do I make this stop?!
All I wanted to do was to get home and get to church. 
  Sunday morning came and I was praying that I could get there. 
When I walked in the door, I started to feel peaceful. When the music played it was better. By the time the ending praise song came on, I felt like I had fallen backward into a river and was covered in peace. 
I was exactly where I needed to be to plug back in. My phone was on airplane mode, my family together, and I was good. 
  The pastor talked about choices and about grace. 
When we left church, we almost got into an accident. I took a breath and said thank you. 
And then life happened. 
   This week local kids went back to school. And for me, the transition to junior high was huge. With only a few weeks to state fair, I was not prepared for the length of time she would be gone daily. 
 The first day I was a hot mess. I could barely function.  I played praise songs over and over. I prayed. I went for a walk with a friend. Nothing could calm me down.  And I didn’t feel anyone I know would understand. It was pretty lonely for a bit. 
  When she got home she was tired but happy. Well she was grouchy and tired but had a good day. 
That gave me peace for a short time. 
  In truth, I have less access to her now. I am grateful that I have a school with teachers I trust implicitly, staff and coaches that I know she is safe with. But I am also selfish. 
  After the first day, I asked her and my husband if we could homeschool and just go around the country showing sheep. 
She told me no. LOL.
 We are all adjusting to the new routine.  The first day we were all at the barn morning and night. On the second day, my husband and I were at the barn in the morning. On the third day, I admit I asked him if he could go work and feed the sheep on his own. He also told me no.
 So in the evening I get barn time with my girl. It is an hour I cherish. 
 Since she is involved in a number of school activities this year trying things out, we made a loose schedule of fall and winter shows. We all understand that we committed to the school first and this year will look different. 
 I have less time now in certain areas and more time in others. 
Everyone is adjusting.
  So I go back to Angel’s Landing and Walter’s Wiggles. What is the goal? 
  I guess this year the goal is to be more fluid, allow the ups and downs, and navigate this new journey. 
 Seems to me the more we try to control things the more challenging the journey.
 Tonight, Thursday, I have my first book signing for Tales from the 5 am hour. 
 I have gone through many scenarios. It is possible no one shows up. Maybe a few. Whatever comes my way, nothing can change the fact that I completed a goal. 
 Would I love to share the experience and have some fun tonight? Absolutely. 
 If you can’t make it, Friday morning there is one at the library.
 That is pretty exciting to me. 
 And it is time for new goals too. 
But don’t forget on the way to the goals are some steep switchbacks. You can lose sight of your goals in the weeds. 
 And maybe on our way, we can reach a hand out and help someone in the meantime. 
The world would be a better place if we dropped the swords, the pride, and the ego and just tried to help. It’s a hard enough life without people making it harder.