Day 8 

Today’s glimmer is a little different. It wasn’t a thing, but a feeling, rather a realization that I am tougher and more capable than I ever thought I could be. 

Let me tell you about my day…

This was our driveway today. Several days ago we had a winter storm rage through. We didn’t get much snow, but we got ice…lots of it. Enough to down trees and cause us to lose power for half a day.  The cold and winds haven’t let up so we are basically ice-locked from civilization. By civilization I mean the road and the mailbox. Our driveway is about 1/8 of a mile long and has a 35 degree incline. Even on a good day it’s quite a trek to the mailbox. I generally hop in the car and drive down to get the mail. 

Well the world below has resumed to business as usual. The roads are plowed and dry, and delivery trucks have been doing what they do. My order trackers had informed me that there were several packages in and around the mailbox. I figured I’d best make my way down the hill to get them, along with some important mail I had been waiting for. 

I bundled up in layers, put on my hiking boots, and grabbed one of my partner’s crutches to use as a walking stick.  My plan was to walk along the edge that is made up of gravel and leaves. The paved driveway was coated with 1/2 an inch of slick, solid ice. 

I had only taken a few steps when the crutch slid out from under me over the ice tumbling me into the blackberry brambles. I may have rolled a bit before regaining my footing, because I had to pry the branches off my coat to get free. At this point I was determined, pressing on until I realized that the side of the driveway was narrowing, leaving me limited safe ground to walk on. I was now teetering on the edge of a ravine that ran along the driveway. I think you know where this is heading!!! Yep, I tumbled once again. This time into the ravine! 

Undaunted, I pressed on measuring my steps along the base of the ravine as far as I could. Unfortunately that path wouldn’t get me to the bottom so I decided I needed to get back to the driveway to make my way to the grassy edge on the other side. I punched the icy hill with my hands to give myself something to hold as I made my way up to the driveway’s edge. A delivery driver on the road who had been watching me asked if I was okay. I told him I thought so. He waved and wasted no time getting into his van, driving away. 

In hindsight this was probably a good thing for my dignity!  I had finally reached the driveway. I tossed the crutch to the other side and tried to crawl. That turned out to be a bad idea. I started sliding back down toward the ravine. So I dropped to my belly and slither-slid across the driveway. Once i reached the gully and got back on my feet, the remaining descent was easy. I found one package leaning against a tree, and several more, along with some mail, stuffed in the mailbox. Mission accomplished? Well, not exactly. I had to figure out a way to get back up the hill.

I decided I would cut through the woods rather than up the driveway. The ice and snow there seemed less solid and I figured I would have better footing. I headed up the gully until I got to a moderately steep entrance to the woods. I was able to dig my toes into the ice which gave me footing. It was a long grueling trek. When I got to the clearing in view of the house, I discovered that the yard had a thick layer of ice. I was forced to walk along the perimeter until I found an area where ice had melted and patches of grass were popping through. I dug my feet into the ice and slowly made my way up the sloped yard. 

If you’re still with me, I hope you now understand today’s glimmer. As hard as it was, I felt so empowered as I stepped into the warmth and safety of my home with that satchel of packages. To have faced and overcome so many challenges gave me such a rush. 

A few hours later, another delivery truck left a package at the mailbox. They even sent me a picture. haha. Well, it’ll keep until things thaw. One great adventure was enough for today!!!!

I wrote a little poem to commemorate this achievement! Peace and glimmers to you!

mission possible

empowerment is
scaling an ice-glazed driveway
and living to tell

~kat