Cindy and Charissa after our big ford.
This past week we went on an overnight practice hike with our daughter Charissa. The goal was to shake down the equipment and get used to camping out. Cindy had been doing well hiking with a full pack but we discovered she had forgotten many things about camping. During our ADT journey Cindy was able to learn new things, though we now know she had Alzheimer’s. We hope she can relearn the relatively simple tasks of camping out. Indeed, that’s somewhat the point.
Back in 1980 Cindy earned the title “Expedition Woman,” a title she’s identified with proudly ever since. Expedition Women are fiercely independent and handle the pain of long distance backpacking well. In truth, women generally handle pain and discomfort better than men anyways, but let’s not cheapen a good title. Anytime I want to brighten Cindy’s mood a little all I need to do is remind her she’s an Expedition Woman.
At times I’m more of a tease than a comforter, drawing some dirty looks from Cindy. As we set up camp Charissa did something well that led me to say: “Guess she’s the Expedition Woman now!”
Oops. The look Cindy gave me was particularly frosty, making it clear that in her mind she is forever the Expedition Woman.
I would not want it any other way.
; )