When you wake up in the morning, where are you? Are you remembering yesterday, its highs, its lows? Are you instantly flooded with that argument, that financial situation, or that health issue? Do you worry about tomorrow, next week, or next month?

So many of us are anywhere but present, anywhere but living here; now. 

So many don’t even know what it means to be. here. now. Do you?

My father is visiting us for a few weeks and last weekend we decided to do a hike in our local redwood forest. I thought it would be fun to arrange for a volunteer hiking guide to accompany us so we met in the parking lot of our local forest preserve. 

As my father and I stood looking for our guide, I noticed a sprightly woman walking towards us. She wore a baseball cap, hiking shorts and a t-shirt. She had the brightest eyes that sparkled with so much light and a smile that lit up the room. She asked me, “Are you Elizabeth?” and I said, “Yes I am.”

She nodded and smiled and said, “I’m Louise and this is my husband Jim.” We all nodded and introduced ourselves and set upon our hike together. 

Louise quickly pointed out the local hiking map, explained where we would trek today and went on to point out some plants and trees along our path. 

Louise was quick, nimble, and very sure footed. Her legs were strong, muscular, and lean. In fact, her entire body was hardened with the kind of muscle earned over many years of disciplined athleticism. As I watched her jump and slide down rocks and walk over dirt patches of earth I marveled at the power, strength, and youthfulness this woman exuded. I couldn’t help myself and exclaimed, “Louise you are an inspiration! I don’t know how old you are, but you are amazing.” As I said this my eyes spontaneously filled with tears. 

Louise laughed and said, “I don’t feel as nimble as I used to.” But her humbleness was quickly overtaken by her proud husband behind me saying, “She just celebrated her 80th birthday a week and a half ago!”

My father and I were amazed. The rest of the hike was peppered with my questions of what her life was like and listening to her stories of running regular ultra marathons (that’s 100 miles for those that don’t know), competing in iron man triathlons, rock climbing (including Half Dome in Yosemite), deep sea diving, and zipping around town in her red mercedes convertible.

When she told me that her year started off with a sad note of losing her 9 year old rescued dog I quickly asked her if she planned on getting another companion animal. She then said that she and Jim had a month long trip planned to Antartica (again) in February next year to go deep sea diving and didn’t think it would be good to get another animal if she was going to be away for so long.   

Louise made me smile. She made me cry tears of joy. She excited me and inspired me. 

I looked at this woman and her equally athletic husband and marveled at the intensity at which she lived her life, the deep interest in the natural world, the challenge she put her physical body through, and the keen mental stability and balance one would need to live a life such as this. 

Our two hour hike passed in what felt like 5 minutes and I was sad to say good-bye. Luckily my father was on the same wave-length as me and wanted to commemorate this experience as much as I did so I asked for a quick photo right before we left. 

Louise is a living example of living in the moment; fully present, fully aware, awake and ALIVE. The only signs of ‘old-age’ was her bright white hair and slight forward bend. Other than that, she was more agile than most 20 year olds.

This human being that I had the grace to meet is a reminder to never take anything for granted and to always live each day to the fullest. Having seen this marvel of a woman, how could I not share her story?

Live now. Take the leap of faith now. Challenge yourself. Explore. Go on an adventure. Don’t wait for someone or something to happen. Make it happen.

If you’re waiting for that sign,….here it is.