Categories: bushwalking-hiking, grace-of-god
Date: 11 August 2008 02:00:32
It is no exaggeration to say if things had been slighty different I would not be here writing today. I was foolish and stupid, but the Grace and Love of the Blessed Trinity and the kindness of strangers can overcome all.
I decided, on my way back from Canberra, to stop at Bundanoon and see the Glow Worms. A chilly evening, but I had warm-ish clothes, a torch and, so I thought, an idea of where I was headed. The glow worms were beautiful: seeing the lights pulse in the almost-darkness [a rather bright just-over-half moon seemed to be shining directly on the viewing platform, which may've made seeing a bit more difficult] was rather magical, rather wonderful. At just after 18:15, I headed back.
The first sentence of this post gives an indication of what is coming. I must've deviated from the path, and I slipped down a somewhat steep, though mercifully short, hill. Getting back up the same way was not possible, so I decided to find another way up. It was then I realised I had come up somewhere I knew not where. I sat and thought. Then started in the direction I had come from. Or so I thought. I fell down another hill, this time the torch I had flickered out after being dropped rather harshly. No mobile reception either.
The torch came back on, though only with a dull light and only for a while at a time. My watch told me it was 18:50. I had no idea where I was. I thought of staying where I was, but I was rather exposed, and, foolishly perhaps, as it may be best to stay where you are, somewhat close to the track, I looked for an overhanging rock to provide some shelter. I was scared. Truly scared. It was cold, the ground was damp and I had no idea what to do. I cried. I yelled. I prayed. I thought of all the wrongs I committed. I thought of the last words I had said to my parents, my friends, my colleagues. I thought of my life. Yes, I had been lost for less than a hour, but it was dark, excepting the moon's glow, and I did think I would not survive the night. I thought of being another "statistic"; another foolish idiot who had set off for an hour [at most] walk there and back, and not returned.
At regular intervals I got up and walked in circles, in a futile effort to keep myself warm. At other times I sat and thought. And prayed. And screamed. And cried. At around 20:20 or so I decided to climb the highest hill I could and see, please God, if I could see any lights to give direction. I could. In the distance. A long distance. I walked towards them, and after only ten or so minutes came across a property fence. Not knowing which way to go, I made a guess left. It proved correct. I stumbled into someone's backyard.
In tears, and looking a bit worse for wear, I knocked on the door. At 20:45, the reaction of the owner could probably be guessed. He, thankfully, did open the door after more cries and comments from me. I asked for directions back to town and he gave them. I said thanks, and apologised. He then offered to take me back to my car. More thanks and apologies followed from me, for the entire trip. He dropped me off and with relief I slumped in my car. Turning it on, the temperature 2°C lit up. It was cold.
I am here at work; scratched and bruised but alright. Thanks to the the Grace of God and the kindness of strangers. I plan to buy something, a gift pack of sorts, and drop it by the fellow's house [I have no idea of the house number or his name, though I feel if I go back I could work out which house is his]. I hope to do so this weekend. I owe him much more than that.
And thanks be to God. As someone at work said, I've been given a second chance. There are things I despise about myself: my anger and short-temper in particular. I do not want to be on my death-bed regretting too many harsh words. By the continued Grace of God, I pray a change can be effected. And I pray I can live a better life in Christ.