My Happy Place

I put aside training a few weeks each year to bake in the sun ("bake" is the correct term.  I go from translucent winter white to beet red inside of two days), and watch whales breech in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  I trade Vitamin Water for salt-rimmed margarita's and listening to my kids laugh and play in the pool.  When I am stressed, or having a difficult day, I can close my eyes and picture the sand in my toes and the ice in my drink.

The images from Hurricane Odile hit too close to my Happy Place. Looting at the Wal Mart where I shop, the beaches, pristine and beautiful, are now ravaged and filthy.  Miles of shoreline I walked hand in hand with husband devastated overnight.  More important than my own little world of sheltered paradise, the mass flattening of the homes of those that make my stay pleasant and wonderful, is too much to absorb.  The homes made of wax cardboard, composite wood, iron, and cement lay in piles washed away like a house of cards.

After going through pictures of my in-laws in Mexico, we created a coffee blend called, "Happy Place."  With the mix of Mexican, Guatemalan, and Sumatran coffee, it is the heavy favorite of all the coffee we roast.  It is a permanent homage to our favorite place. http://www.nectaroflife.com/Happyplace.htm

It is the only time and place I have ever been thankful for the hours I endured Dora the Explorer.  I can tell you I need to find a bathroom, I only eat chicken, the words for chocolate, coffee, spider, snake, up, down, music, and in this case, star.  I sat on the beach with my family after the sun set watching the brilliant display of stars above.  Suddenly, a huge star took off across the sky.  I yelled to the Hispanic family behind us, "ESTRELLA!  ESTRELLA!"  They were able to catch a glimpse of the tail, and for once, I was thankful I remembered Dora and her ridiculous star pocket.

My happy place used to be on top of a 14er.  I climbed to the top of one of them twice while working at a Christian Challenge camp in the area.  I love trail running because although I have a lot more oxygen than I did when I climbed Redcloud Peak (14,034 if you want EXACT numbers) I get a similar feeling of accomplishment and awe.  There is nothing like being on top of a tall hill or mountain.  Both times I hiked to the top, I did so with a large group of kids and my fellow group leaders.  When you give kids the chance to face their fears, accomplish a HUGE goal, and let them touch the sky, you show them they can do anything.

This week, we trail ran near Liberty Lake in Washington state.  It isn't my favorite trail.  I don't care for weeds that overgrow a trail.  But the view from the top of the lake was pretty amazing.  My time on the trek stunk.  Yes, I can blame my foot.  Like a fool, I left the brace I had been told to wear at home.  Ugh.  I won't make that mistake again.  For a while at least.  Rule #1 Never change anything that worked.  Okay, that is the NEW rule #1.

As I climbed to the top of the hill, my foot pain gnawing at my knees and making me feel stupider with every step, I had to remember who I am.  I didn't just give the kids strength to face their fears, and pain, I gave myself the gift as well.  A small part of me wanted to turn around and go back.  I decided a bit of pain would be worth the effort.  I AM an over-comer.  I BELIEVE I can do this.  I KNOW that I am strong.

Next year, we are talking about going to Mexico for very different reasons.  We are looking into finding ways to help make life better for those that serve so many. Perhaps a day or two out of our vacation, we can work to rebuild the homes of those that create our "Happy Place."

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