Don't go chasing Waterfalls.... Climb them instead!

Well, Today I start my tale of a cruise into my new life, a life I am not quite ready to start but one I am excited to begin. I enjoyed my cruise, I love being with my George and there's a wonderful lack of distractions on vacation... especially on a cruise. We went to Haiti and Jamaica on Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas. I have been afraid to visit Jamaica since I have always wanted to climb Dunns' River Falls. Climbing a waterfall seems unreal... to someone with Mobility issues like me. A year ago, I wouldn't have spend much time on the cruise... out of a wheelchair. 11 months, post-banding... and I grabbed the brass ring. I climbed Dunns' River Falls.... Slippery when wet, is not just a BonJovi Album, is was my quest. I could feel the fear rising from my stomach to my throat... even my band couldn't block that. I walked down what seemed like a million steps... to the beach at the bottom of the Waterfalls, i almost chickened out several times, but the thought of climbing back up all those steps was too much to bear... Laziness is as good a reason as any to face your fears... right? I felt the ice cold water surrounding my feet.... my thoughts were racing, "the thousands of stairs are dry and stable"... I grabbed George's hand to take my first step up... and a few steps later... I heard watch that next step, it's a doesy.... fast forward to a few minutes later, me wet. Crying and Clinging to the wall... I got through the first big hill but there was still alot of waterfall ahead of me. The guide took pity on me... and helped me with a hand up and I kept climbing. I went higher and higher, I didn't climb the last big hill but I made it all the way up to it... and felt amazing with my accomplishment... but my legs felt like jelly for 2 days. I didn't end up back in my wheelchair though and I have had a life experience crossed off my bucket list. Next time, I will climb the last big hill. But I sum it up by saying, losing 116 pounds does not an athlete make... but I am getting stronger every day. I climbed a waterfall, and I explored caves...there were inclines, sandy beaches, cruise ship stairs, and slippery river stones... Last week, I was active by choice... Last year, I dreaded having to walk to the bathroom by need. I am a work in progress... and even though I wish I was celebrating reaching my big goal, I am thrilled to be celebrating reaching new heights!