Where You Lead I Will Follow

For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin-real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.
Alfred D’Souza 

I went on a hiking trail with my dogs the other day.

The trail was very inviting, with an
     easy groomed path through towering oaks.

Halle led the way, as always.

Sami, ever wary of new things, stayed by my side.

A few minutes into the walk, we encountered 
                an old building on the edge of the river.

As I was busy taking pictures, I saw Sami stiffen, ears cocked, tail down, staring straight ahead.


I focused where Sami was looking - into the darkness under the old building.  Someone was inside sleeping next to a smoldering fire for warmth.  


A trickle of fear ran down my spine, and I quietly retreated from the building and made my way down the path.  I was thankful that I was with my dogs.

The trail led us on a beautiful path next to the water.  It was so peaceful and serene under the canopy of trees.

The path was blocked in many spots by downed trees, thanks to hurricane Irene a few weeks back.  Halle would stop and wait for me to show her the way around the obstacle to get back on the path once again.

After climbing a pretty steep hill, the trail led us to a railroad trestle.   There was a pedestrian walkway on the side of the train tracks made out of open steel grates.  

The grates opened a drop of 40 feet or so below.
The dogs would NOT walk on it.
They wouldn't even put a paw on it, no matter how hard I tried to lure them.


I really didn't want to turn around and backtrack.


Then Sami took the lead for the first time on the hike and began walking across the railroad ties between the tracks.  There was a gap of about 8 inches between the ties, but that didn't seem to bother him.   I followed Sami, and Halle followed me.  Slowly, step by step, tie by tie, we made our way across the trestle to solid ground on the other side.


After that, nothing we encountered phased us at all.  We had all gained confidence and courage that we could make it through whatever obstacles stood in our way.


We finished the hike tired but exhilarated.
It was a great hike.

Isn't this true of life too?
Life is full of obstacles.
Sometimes we take the lead.
Other times we follow.
But we make it through together.
And when we make it past the obstacles we fear most, 
we realize an inner strength we never knew we had.