In the last few years, walking and Jesus have helped me navigate through different seasons of trauma. When I initially started walking, I was trying to escape the life I was in. With every step, I escaped my reality. I plugged into music, a podcast, or an inspiring message and walked on. First, starting with a mile or two, then making my way up to an occasional eight mile day. Sometimes the steps were around and around my small yard (knowing the neighbors surely thought I was nuts) along with up and down my driveway. Sometimes they were in our small downtown. I prayed and cried and kept walking. I tried to teleport my mind to a place of peace or refuge. I knew as long as I was walking, I did not have to deal with my life. It was my safe place.

Over time and after I met my husband, we began hiking on date #5. Truly, hiking is harder than just walking. I had to deal with hills and rocks and roots. I just took one step at a time. We hiked up Amicalola Falls State Park falls trail on that date #5. It was intense, climbing 425 steep steps on the strenuous trail leading to a 729 feet cascade falls. It was beautiful. I was sweaty and a mess when I got to the top. I tried not to look up as we climbed. It felt overwhelming. I knew I could not face the whole ascent but I could do a few steps at a time. I stepped from one platform to the next and took a break. It took a while but I made it. I felt accomplished and successful. It may not have been a perfect hike but it was my hike. That counted. I have been trying to improve my hike ever since.

This takes me to today – January 1st, 2026. Many state parks were promoting First Day hikes to encourage people to get outdoors and experience the beauty of the raw nature that is given to us. Our summit today was the Long Leaf Loop at FDR State Park with 1,148 feet of almost constant up and down elevation, measuring 6.9 miles.

I started out with a positive step, that is, until about 2 miles in, we realized I took a side trail and we had to back track. After that, I felt like my goal was lost, and I mentally struggled the rest of the hike. Each step was really an intense effort. Although we ended up finishing with a total of 8 miles, I initially felt defeated. It was a reminder of how hard I have to work to keep my thoughts in a better place. After some serious moments of reflecting, I was proud of the 23,000+ steps today. Everyone hikes their own hike. Each one looks different. We all have junk to work on. I am proud of me for pressing on. I am proud of you for pressing on. Life is definitely tough like that.

Note: I am thankful for my husband who would not move on and leave me on my countless rest breaks and was a constant source of understanding and support.