Lessons from the Incline

Written by Kristin Orphan,

FHF Founder and Director

kristin@finallyhomefoundation.net

Part 1 – An Extreme Hike

Last week, my husband and I took a rare chance to get away overnight.  We went to beautiful Colorado Springs.  Some friends who grew up there, made restaurant and entertainment suggestions at our request.  One of their recommendations included an “extreme hike” known by locals as simply, “The Incline.”  Here are some fun facts from Wikipedia:

The Manitou Springs Incline, also known as the Manitou Incline or simply the Incline, is a popular hiking trail rising above Manitou Springs, CO Colorado Springs. The trail is the remains of a former 3 ft narrow gauge funicular railway whose tracks washed out during a rockslide in 1990. The Incline is famous for its sweeping views and steep grade, as steep as 68% in places, making it a fitness challenge for locals in the Colorado Springs area. The incline gains over 2,000 feet (610 m) of elevation in less than one mile.

That last statement about gaining over 2,000 feet of elevation in a ridiculously short amount of time reminded us of our adoption journey.  I’m typing this with a smile, knowing that there are foster and adoptive parents out there who know exactly how the intensity of life can ramp up quickly and unexpectedly.

When we reached the entrance of the Incline, there was a sign that said, “This is an extreme hike.”  Having completed the trek, I would have to agree with that statement.  On the way up, we encountered people of all ages and fitness levels. But, no one was taking this lightly.  It was a strenuous effort for every person.

The hike looked nearly impossible when we allowed ourselves to focus on how far we had to go to reach the summit.  However, when we chose a realistic goal, like the next evergreen tree or the black pipe sticking out, we found that we could keep going.  It felt good to accomplish the smaller goals on our way to the biggie.  As we wore down, we realized that if we stopped for 45-60 seconds to let our heart rate slow and take a sip of water, we would miraculously have the energy to reach our next landmark goal.

In the same way, I have learned that while parenting children who have been through trauma, it is very important to take a lot of breaks and to celebrate the small victories on your way to the summit.  It’s breathtaking to look back and celebrate the sum of all those small victories that add up to one amazing view!