Ricochet

Our family made a mass journey to the hot springs during cousins' week.  It is a 2+ mile hike with the steepest terrain at the end of the trip.  I was plodding along in the rear with the younger grandchildren until we reached the last stretch, at which point they burst forth joyously and I was panting to catch up.  Soon I was having to rest after every ten steps.  I had not realized I was in such poor shape.  Finally, I stopped altogether.  I could see the piles of clothing and backpacks ahead, but I just couldn't take another step.  I wanted to just sit down and cry for my lost youth.  When I had made this hike with my scouts only ten or twelve years ago, I kept up with them fine.  My daughter was waiting patiently for me to recover.  "Just go on up", I said. "I'll come along at my own pace."  She looked me full in the face.  "I'm not leaving you.  I'ts called the buddy system."  I wonder who drilled that into her brain.