Ignorance Not Necessarily Bliss

I remember my dad talking about walking into my room when I was small and finding me on the top bunk of the bunkbed. I was 2, and there was no ladder. He said he wondered for a long time how I made it to the top of that bunk, so when I went in the room one evening, he ran outside and watched me through the window. Seems I climbed the post like a monkey, almost falling a few times, but I finally made it to the top. He said he was better off not knowing how I got up there. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

That's how it was for me tonight when T and I were out walking. A few years ago T climbed a big mountain in China called Haba. It's just a few feet short of 18,000 feet, and is pretty steep at the top. He's climbed it twice, and summited both times. The second time he called me from the summit. I swear he sounded like a kid on Christmas morning. It was so fun hearing his voice then, and it's something I'll always remember. But tonight, he actually divulged some of the details of that trip: steep ice walls, cloud covering, sliding and catching himself with a pick, ice caves..... I completely understand my dad's view from back then. Ignorance is bliss.

But it's also good to know the struggle. It gives you a little more insight into the character of your loved one. We don't know everything about our special someone, but sometimes we get little glimpses that are surprising and fun, and tonight was one of those. I've always known Big Dad was a hard worker. I've always known his sense of adventure and love of just about everything outdoors. Tonight I got a little glimpse of those two elements of his character converging to a point in time that he then shared with me through a phone call. That was a great moment, and I feel privileged that he shared it with me. Love you, Big Dad!