Life is a Stairway

Stairs in the Kenosha Lighthouse.

 I've been climbing stairs as part of a friendly challenge since early January, most weeks I complete 10 climbs up 16 flights of stairs to the landing where you can walk on to the building's roof.

 

 One of the things I like about climbing steps is the extended period of time I can think about 'stuff' while doing it.

 

 Last week, not long after a milestone birthday, it occurred to me how stair climbing has much in common with aging.

 

 Our early years are like climbing the first few floors.  We're excited to do it and we have the energy to take two-steps at a time or quickly run a flight or two.

 

  We might be out-of-breath but we barely notice, we're glad to be on the stairs.

 The middle floors and our first two decades as adults have a lot in common.  We climb quickly.  Eagerly, with expectations.  We might work up a sweat but that goes with the job and we're up for it, anxious to finally see the view from the top.

 

In our fifties and sixties we continue climbing; we notice it takes more effort and takes longer than it used to when we were younger.  If we run it's for a few steps or from one floor to the next; we think about how much better we used to climb stairs.

 

Stairs in the North Point Lighthouse, Milwaukee

We walk slower.  We take one step at a time.  We hold the handrail, just in case.

 

We're closer to the top; to the end of the climb than the beginning.

Congratulations!  

 

Did you bring everything you wanted or everything you need?  

 

Did you thank the folks who helped you navigate the steps when they were tricky or under repairs?

It's more work than it used to be but maybe we appreciate the importance of each step and our ultimate destination.

Life is a stairway - it isn't easy; it may not get us where we want to go when we want to be there; and while the last few flights may take the longest, it will be worth reaching our destination.

Keep climbing!