Survivor at the Summit

I think there's a time in everyone's life where you ask "Why am I here?" I think a lot of the time people experience difficulty in finding an answer.

I'm a firm believer in service unto others. I love doing things for a good cause and donating my time. I love being involved in community events and things that have meaning.

Today, Ray, my Mom, Rachel and I participated in the 13th Annual Survivor of the Summit hike at Snowbird. This event symbolizes the individual “summit” each person with cancer faces and achieves. It's a 3.5 mile hike- and I'm telling you, it was NOT an easy hike. I think my anaerobic threshold is pretty high, but this was challenging.

We arrived at Snowbird around 8am. Received our team flag; our team name was "Just Beat It"- We ate some pancakes and fruit and headed onto the trail about 9:30.

We reached the Summit at 1:15pm. It was beautiful and serene. It's funny that anytime I go out of state, I miss our mountains so much, but when I'm here I take them for granted and don't visit them as much as I should. I can't explain the beauty of the hike. I am so proud of my Mom for completing the hike. It was her first hike and she did awesome. Not the best "beginner" trail, but she was a soldier. When reaching the Summit, it was about 35 degrees and really windy. I was overwhelmed with emotion because so many times on the trail I wanted to stop but then thought of all of the people who were sick and couldn't make the hike who wanted to. It's the little things, such as hiking up a mountain that I am grateful my body is able to do.

All of us are affected by Cancer in some way. I'm a big supporter of the cause and trying to find a cure.

Back to my question "why am I here?" I want to make a difference. I want to contribute something that will still be here when I'm gone. I want to make a difference in peoples lives. I want to be part of something bigger than me. I can't wait to be an RN and I want to eventually work in Pediatric Oncology.

It was rather liberating reaching the top, to honor loved ones who have faced the challenges associated with a cancer diagnosis. If you would like to donate your time and volunteer with me at future events, please visit the Cancer Wellness House.

Here's the pictures from yesterday! Like I said, pictures do not do justice to our outdoors.

Snowbird is so pretty


The only way to make pancakes.. by the dozen!!


Mom and Rach starting the hike


The beginning of the trail


I love my Mom


Snow in August


We even saw moose


You GO Mom!! Almost to the top


We're on top of the world!!


We reached the top!! Yay for "Just Beat It"


We did it!!


Top of the summit, looking on the other side of Snowbird


Yes, we took the tram DOWN


This is the way down the mountain looking at the peak we just hiked to