On my most recent trip to California, I mentioned to my good friend,I might go up to see the giant redwood trees in Yosemite Park. My friend is an artist that I met, that had seen my work posted on another site. We've gotten to be close over the year. She lives not far from where I used to, both are married to retired military men. She's a cancer survivor and continues to fight reoccurring battles and new health issues. We both have our limits with health now. Still, we share photos, art, worries, as sisters would. I've found a dear friend that has so many of the same feelings that I do. On the day I was going to be able to go to the Park, I was ready to go honor her simple request, "Would you hug tree for me...and make a sign that it's for me?" A simple little request. Well, it had snowed the day before, not more than an inch or two. The decided to park to close the road to drive up to that area of the park off to traffic, for the winter. We found that out when we arrived. What to do? I have trouble hiking usually on uneven ground, inclines, due to hip and spine problems. My husband asked if I wanted to leave. I said, "No, I promised to do it, I'm going to do it, or at least try." So, we hiked up the road the two miles to the grove. The grove goes on for several miles more. I couldn't have made it much further up than we did. Going up was easier than I thought. I managed to get up to one of the trees and my husband got this shot of me. Almost slipped on the hill coming down from the tree, but I made it. Though this tree was not the biggest one, It would take my camera 6 photo shots to make a panoramic domposite to get in the whole tree,from where my husband was standing. That's big enough! I made the trip back down to the car, al down hill sloped now. This turned out to be the hardest part for me. By now my back was hurting, neck was tight, and hip did not like the pressure of the downward slope. My husband could hear me pacing my breathing due to the pain. There was a place to stop, but I told him if I stopped now, I wouldn't make it back up. So on we went. I made it, finally, my husband was ready to go get me help, but I was too embarrassed for that, plus determined I would finish what I started. Les would have killed me for it, but I was on a mission. She's been having a hard time, and I wanted to give her that simple gift. To make her smile, even if for a moment.This is what one you do for a someone you care for. I was proud that I did the walk. I'll do it again, but when there's no slippery batches of snow. Better shoes as well. This is for Les, , my soul buddy, she is worth the effort. She gave me strength to do what I thought I'd never be able to do. Friends do that. They support each other, encourage, and give them strength to try what they think is impossible. I've spent the last 5 years not walking, barely walking, and building up to stand and go back to normal activities. I'm stubborn. Doctors tell me no you can't and will not. I just wait and see. If I had not tried and listened, I would be sitting or laying all day & night, wasted on pain pills. Sitting made my spine worse, due to lack of stretching it and moving it. Walking eased the pain. That and finding doctors that were willing to help me find a way to get better. I function pretty well now, well, if not hiking 4 miles. I'm managing. I'm stubborn, and with support of family, friends, faith, you can do what can not be done. This is for Les, she set off the idea for the photo. This simple gift of friendship turned out to mean so much more for me. It tells me keep trying to push the limits, to ot give up on life, to go and get out there, to live life. I did it, I can do it again, maybe even more!