While I always share the trail experience with all my Bimbler friends, even those not present, experiences like this are few and far between. And in the gap between thinking of those Bimblers off running elsewhere, and the point at which I turn completely inward, is the space in which I feel totally connected to those around me. The knowledge that they are depending on me as much as I am depending on them, that they are feeling the pain, and maybe the doubt, that I feel, and they are the only others in the world experiencing the same incredible beauty all around me at that moment, forms a bond that I really can’t describe adequately. Above and beyond all that, I had a particularly gratifying day with one particular participant in this adventure. I have run with this Bimbler a couple other times, but quite a bit more than usual lately. This Bimbler has always struck me as a capable and very decent kind of Bimbler, but somewhat aloof, not at all in sync with my overly “interactive” persona on the trail. I might have taken the aloofness personally, but I generally sense that she is that way with many others as well. Anyway, there were some doubts expressed by many that she would not be up to the task of the “assault”, and yet, in the end, she came along. Her accomplishment was nothing short of incredible, and impressed me immensely. But, more important to me, I feel like we really bonded. While she had seemingly warmed up to me on recent runs, there was definitely still a very clear boundary between us. Up on the mountain, in the waist deep snows, we frequently took turns leading the group. She, with her superior route finding abilities, lead when the direction was unclear. I, with my greater mass would trudge through the snowdrifts somewhat easing the way for her to follow in my footsteps. While it was obvious we all had moments of doubt, we all trudged on. As we were finishing the run, I just had a sense that the two of us had made a real breakthrough in our understanding of each other. Shortly later, my hopes were confirmed when she rolled over on her back to invite me to rub her belly. I was both surprised and gratified to discover that Kaya (The Wonder Dog) did now consider me a friend indeed.
by…’adversity,’ eh? Looking forward to hearing how your bonds were strengthened! 😉 🙂
Catamount,
While I always share the trail experience with all my Bimbler friends, even those not present, experiences like this are few and far between. And in the gap between thinking of those Bimblers off running elsewhere, and the point at which I turn completely inward, is the space in which I feel totally connected to those around me. The knowledge that they are depending on me as much as I am depending on them, that they are feeling the pain, and maybe the doubt, that I feel, and they are the only others in the world experiencing the same incredible beauty all around me at that moment, forms a bond that I really can’t describe adequately. Above and beyond all that, I had a particularly gratifying day with one particular participant in this adventure. I have run with this Bimbler a couple other times, but quite a bit more than usual lately. This Bimbler has always struck me as a capable and very decent kind of Bimbler, but somewhat aloof, not at all in sync with my overly “interactive” persona on the trail. I might have taken the aloofness personally, but I generally sense that she is that way with many others as well. Anyway, there were some doubts expressed by many that she would not be up to the task of the “assault”, and yet, in the end, she came along. Her accomplishment was nothing short of incredible, and impressed me immensely. But, more important to me, I feel like we really bonded. While she had seemingly warmed up to me on recent runs, there was definitely still a very clear boundary between us. Up on the mountain, in the waist deep snows, we frequently took turns leading the group. She, with her superior route finding abilities, lead when the direction was unclear. I, with my greater mass would trudge through the snowdrifts somewhat easing the way for her to follow in my footsteps. While it was obvious we all had moments of doubt, we all trudged on. As we were finishing the run, I just had a sense that the two of us had made a real breakthrough in our understanding of each other. Shortly later, my hopes were confirmed when she rolled over on her back to invite me to rub her belly. I was both surprised and gratified to discover that Kaya (The Wonder Dog) did now consider me a friend indeed.
Ah. Now I understand. 😉
Wow Forrest, you almost had me…..going!! Almost! Nice doggy story though.
Thats you Forrest always keeping us Bimblers in suspense till the last moment.