Survival of Those Who Endure

You know how they say "survival of the fittest'?  That those who are the most fit or strong are the ones who survive?  Well, I think it's actually "survival of those who endure".  Not necessarily the fittest, most beautiful, most talented, or strongest.  It's the ones who go on the hike even when it scares the heck out of them.  Who continue to put one foot in front of another in a long hike or marathon run. Who keep at the marriage when it's boring or difficult and you feel like you have nothing in common anymore but your children.  Who keep loving their children even when the children make hurtful choices.  It's pretty much life.  Life is not made up mostly of the Christmas photos we see of everyone.  It's made of the sweat and tears and frustration and hurt and laughter and silliness and simple moments of every day.  So, although I did not want to hike in to Havasupai during a heat wave, I did it (albeit we hiked in at 4 a.m.).  And I survived.  And I loved it.  So now I'm glad I endured.  Because I'm learning that if I endure at things, I can surprise myself and make some great memories.