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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

EndNotes

Big steps

Dawn's first light illuminates Barafu, the base camp. From here, at 14,950 feet, climbers begin their final push to Kilimanjaro's summit. (Nick Follger)
Dawn's first light illuminates Barafu, the base camp. From here, at 14,950 feet, climbers begin their final push to Kilimanjaro's summit. (Nick Follger)

One of my three sisters left today to trek Mt. Kilimanjaro – and I can follow her journey from the comfort of my computer. She is the athletic and adventurous one of us. Her life has been filled with big transitions in the last year so big steps up a mountain may feel like a logical adventure for her. I am awestruck.

As we move through middle age and the dreams of our youth end, disappear or never arrive, we create new dreams in directions our youthful selves could not possibly imagine - like second careers, new loves or big steps to our inner selves.

My sister has traveled deeply inward over the last 12 months – her trek up Kilimanjaro makes perfect sense.

Where have your new dreams taken you? 

(S-R archive photo: Dawn's first light illuminates Barafu, the base camp. From here, at 14,950 feet, climbers begin their final push to Kilimanjaro's summit.)



Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with writer Catherine Johnston of Olympia, Wash., discuss here issues facing aging boomers, seniors and those experiencing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.