"As an avid rock climber, I still remember my first 'big' climb: a long route up the shoulder of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. The noonday sun beat down on our backs as my partner and I hiked in. By the time we reached the base of the climb, we were two hours behind schedule and - whoops! - I heard a slurp as I drew the last drop of water from our reserves. Unfazed, my partner reminded me that he had brought another bottle in the pack, which - whoops! - I had already consumed back in the parking lot. Peeved by my hasty hydration, my friend shook his head, turned around, and trudged up the first section of technical climbing. The going was slow, largely due to the heat and our thirst. Having planned to finish around 4 o'clock, we instead summited after dark, around 9 o'clock.
"My tongue felt dryer than sand. My only thought was water. There was no time for taking photos, no time to call friends and family. We needed to get down, to get water."
In a recent commentary, Fr. Alex Wyvill reflected on
how, when we realize what we lack, we have the opportunity to see what matters most to us.
To access Fr. Wyvill's complete post, please visit:
Aleteia: Reverend Alex Wyvill: How what you lack is the best compass (9 MAY 23)
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