The end of summer often brings guilt about activities we didn’t do

The end of summer often brings guilt about activities we didn’t do.

For me, it was hiking.

The weather forecast looked great this weekend.

I took advantage and dragged my daughter with me.

The sun was out.

Temperatures in the 80s.

The breeze was cool and, unmistakably, fall.

For my daughter, the hike started as one might imagine it would for a 10-year-old.

“Why are we doing this?”

“How long are we going to be here?”

But as we walked the trails, we started to feel a connectedness.

A peace.

We felt at home.

Several times we stopped and sat together.

We marveled at the beauty of a majestic 96-year-old sycamore tree.

A small stream curving through the forest, hopping over rocks.

The aerodynamics of a hawk flying overhead.

After several hours, daylight was dwindling.

It was time to walk back.

Bianca and I looked at each other, smiling.

We went out on the hike because of the guilt I felt.

But we came back with positive energy and renewed creativity.

I couldn’t have planned this outcome.

There’s no better designer than nature.