One Step at a Time:

Everyone around her had longer legs.
Everyone else had a faster pace.
Everyone else reached the first checkpoint of our challenging hike long before she did.

But that face—that was the face of determination.

She didn’t stop to gaze up at the daunting summit ahead. She didn’t compare her journey to those who had already arrived. Instead, she kept her field of vision low, placing one tiny foot in front of the other over and over again. Not once did she show frustration. Not once did she ask to stop.

By the time she was within earshot of the waiting Wildlings, something beautiful happened. Their shouts and laughter softened, shifting into excited encouragement.

"C’mon, you’ve got this!"
"Almost there!"
"Keep going!"

And then—a crew of her biggest supporters ran back down the trail to meet her. Without hesitation, they re-walked the final stretch alongside her, standing in solidarity with their dear friend (and sister).

That’s the thing about this Wildling—her bold, bright personality gathers a circle of loyal looker-outers, those who dote on her, cheer for her, and lift her all day long.

They reached the checkpoint together, hand in hand. They were greeted with high fives, fist bumps, and hugs as though they had just climbed Mt. Everest.

If I dwell on this moment too long, the love radiating from our little village of Wildlings will bring tears to my eyes. I do not take lightly the privilege of witnessing these small but mighty moments.

Many times each day, my faith in humanity is restored. It’s easy to hear the world's noise and wonder about the future—but then I look at these incredible little humans, and I know we’ll be just fine.

-Miss Erin