Enough

The cold morning air hugged my damp skin. All you could hear were heavy footsteps, our heavy breathing, and the sounds of the mountain. Light started to filter through the canopy of thick green leaves. There was no one but us, just the way we liked it. It was different, the feeling of being utterly alone in nature. Surrounded by the breathing trees, and the awakening ground. We walked through streams, climbed over rocks, and tripped over roots. We bantered in quite hushed voices, not wanting to break the peace. That was the hike that I got my trail name, pequeño pollo, which translated to little chicken. I was scared of everything, the rustling of trees, the big rocks we had to climb, even the little snake we met on our way up. It was nice though because it was never just us in the past. But now it was, and I liked it. As we got closer to the top the trees fell away. We became very much exposed to the harsh winds and beating sun. As I looked at my dad I was ready to say I wanted to go back down, I wanted to say that it was too daunting. That I just couldn’t. But before I could say anything he took my hand and said, “ You can do this, I know you can.”
In that moment just knowing that he thought that I could do it was just enough for me. I pushed myself to climb up the rocks and over the ridges. We had the time of our lives that day on top of camels hump. That was the hike that I learned that it’s ok to be scared but also that you shouldn't let your fears hold you back. Yes I’m a pequeño pollo but I will never let that stop me, because my dad believes in me and that’s enough.