on top of the world

My husband got home last night from conquering Mt. Whitney.  He's always dreamed of climbing a 14,000+ foot mountain, and a couple of years ago he set his sights on Mt. Whitney, which is the tallest mountain in the US, outside of Alaska.  He tried last year, but got really sick up near the top with altitude sickness and had to come down.  He decided to try again this year, using medication to help him with the sickness.

The climb involved two years of training and lots of time away from us, hiking, or working out.  I didn't like it, but I didn't want to be what was standing in between him and his dream. 

He called me on Monday afternoon from the summit, and we were both in tears as he told me the news that he had made it.  He thanked me for being so supportive, and has told me that a part of me was up there with him, because I helped make it possible.  Knowing how much he appreciates my sacrifice helps make it worth it.

(This is his friend, Jim, on the left, who climbed with him.  Jim made it, but was pretty sick on the way down.  He ended up in the hospital, diagnosed with Pulmonary Edema.  Thankfully he's doing better and they were able to come home on schedule, though some of their other plans were changed.)

As I saw these pictures last night, I got a lump in my throat and my eyes filled with tears again, just so proud of him for all of his hard work and determination to realize his dream.  My husband is the hardest worker I know, and never gives up. 

I hope my girls inherited his work ethic and perseverance, because they certainly won't inherit it from me.

I'm so proud of him!