Going the Distance

On By K.L. HaleIn Essay, Uncategorized

How far will you go?

Two weeks ago today I climbed a distance. It wasn’t the 14’er I once tackled and bagged. Yet, these 315 stone steps at a nearby trail always leave me with a feeling of elation. A week later, on another trail, a friend (celebrating her 60th birthday with a 10 mile run) shortened her distance just to take time to chat with me.

We spoke of distances; ones that reflect our country’s varied philosophies and beliefs in addition to the physical distances we each experience with family. Distant memories were a topic as well as distance learning (she’s teaching in a whole new way).

“Social distancing”, “Keep your distance”, “Go the distance”, “At a distance”, “From a distance”, …our lives seem to revolve around distances. Had someone shared 10 years ago that my two sons would be in the Air Force, with so much distance between us, I wouldn’t have believed it. But happily, they made wonderful choices for their lives. And doesn’t “distance make the heart grow fonder?”

In two days I’m going to fly the distance. For the first time since her birth I’m excited to finally meet my granddaughter. To top it off, I’m going to see my other daughter-in-law and grandson on the same trip. Just thinking of the love in Washington and Idaho (and of course, mountains!) provides the distance my mind needed.

Thursday I’ll don my mask and smile behind it as I board the plane. I’ll keep my distance as not to inherit any sickness. While I’m distancing I’ll enjoy every moment with family. During the distancing I’ll distance my thoughts from negativity and give myself space to just be-to live in the moment.

The distance of my home, bumper to bumper (R.V. ;-), is 35 feet. Operating in small space is something to which I’ve adapted; and quite well. Give me too much space and I might get overwhelmed. That is when speaking of homes; not with the space between loved ones. Or the things I love like mountains, rivers, lakes, and trails. Traveling alone in 2018 I covered much distance (8,400 miles in two different months). The distance didn’t faze me.

In the not-so-far-off distance I’ll continue my plans to create more distances. I’ll call it my “distant learning”. As a lifelong learner I have to keep growing. Fear cannot shorten my distance. One does not have to drive miles to follow their dream. It might be as simple as changing your routine, trying something new, mapping a dream, or just blocking that which suffocates your space. But in this one life you have to live my friend what will you do to “go the distance“?

There’s a love that knows no distance. The love of my Heavenly Father is ever-reaching. It’s reaches each 6 ft. and beyond space and floods all voids between. All you have to do is accept it. I’ll never feel any distance from my ultimate authority; the all wise and knowing; the waymaker and miracle worker.

flannelwithfaith

Have faith 💚

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57 thoughts on “Going the Distance”

    1. Thank you so much. It’s been too long so I completely understand you! That feeling of the open road is exhilarating. And 2020 has tried to snuff it out. I think there’s a lot of great things going on in the world around us~and media and untruths want to keep us centered at home and fearful. We can’t stop life 💚

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  10. What an inspirational post and beautiful perspective on distance. Yes go the distance!! I also agree with you that no matter the “physical” distance, there is no distance in God and in love. Bless you for shining so brightly. With God there is no fear. Much love to you! xo

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  13. Karla, there is so much to capture from this post. Fortunately, I don’t have to traverse great distances to experience a bit of the West. You brought it to me. I taught three years in the Bitterroot Valley in the early 80s so your video brought back some memories. Be safe and enjoy your trip. God’s peace!

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    1. Thank you as always for your comments and encouragement. I would’ve loved to have taught there. I remember driving through Lincoln, MT and taking a pic of their school. And in the Sawtooth Mountains sewing a one-room schoolhouse (that would be a dream 💚). I’ll be safe and sound and happy for sure! God bless you and peace to you both!

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  14. Such a lovely post in both word & deed! Our entire lives are made up of one continuous “distance” from womb to the tomb. How magical it all is when we take a moment to stop and look at some of the snap-shots we have created…. Hugs to you for sharing some of those (in your life,) with all of us & the beautiful reminder to appreciate the bounty in the distances we experience.

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    1. I’m here and living it. Although the plane ride was interesting. Social distancing? I wore a mask 6 straight hours and was crammed in two planes without room to breathe. There was no social distancing. I asked the stewardess; she said we “dropped the spacing regulations”. It was unbelievable. But I’d fly like that again and again to hold these precious babies and see my own. I knew you’d love the views in the video. 💚🤗 take care

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  19. Such a lovely and inspirational post. I refuse to live my life in fear but do practice some social distancing (but that’s normal for me during a typical flu season). Enjoy your time with family and thanks for sharing your beautiful images. 😊

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  24. Beautiful post – I love the quote about how far love can travel 💖 I had written in one of my posts last year – I love to travel but I love people more. I can travel great distances to be with the people I love 💕

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