Meta Walters:  

Life This time of year often makes me reflect on my life and life in general. Another year has gone by and the New Year about to start. What changes are going to take place and will I have the fortitude to face them head on? The answer always seems to be yes. Thank God for that! Over the years I have become rather head strong and very settled in my ways. To counter act this state of mind I have a daughter who never ceases to surprise me. Her facination with rocks and mother nature have led to many of my finer moments! Rock climbing and going on "digs" have taught me that there are somethings you should not do after a certain age! In persuit of her quest for knowledge and to satisfy her professor we embarked on our advanture to the mountains of "Wild and Wonderful West Virginia!" Camping and spending a vast amount of time in the wild is not the way I thought I would spend my leap into middle age. My idea of adventure and roughing it is a hotel without room service and a concierge! Needless to say , when it comes to my daughter I can rarely say no. This brings me back to the beginning of facing a new year. Following my daughter and a group of students I made it to the first and second stage of our climb. This false security was the start of the beginning of the end! I felt a little unsure of my footing turned around too quickly and the next thing I knew I was flying without a plane. My brain processed this news rather quickly and if it was a question of hitting with my teeth or arms it was no choice! Out went my arms and suddenly the dead quiet of this majestic venue was interrupted with the sound of breaking bones! This brought this adventure to an immediate halt and gave us all the new task of finding our vehicle and also finding the nearest Emergency Room! The retired Colonel became ill and thought he was having a heart attack. No problem, I only need one hand to drive! Yes, somehow all of the training and possibly being super Mom kicked in. There was no pain great enough and no emergency that would keep me from my mission. Back roads of West Virginia watch out an injured and determined woman is driving. Being prepared, I just happened to have a map and the nearest road to the hospital mapped out. Within and hour of this unfortunate accident we had arrived and received the most wonderful care. The Colonel was just feeling the stress and I had indeed broken my arm. The other news was that I needed to be in a larger hospital and would need surgery. The final and best news was that the surgery was a success and I would only need to be in the cast for five months. This was an experience that I would not trade for anything in the world. My daughter and I have grown closer than ever and I now realize that there are things you should not do after a cert...Expand for more