What is it about starting something new? It’s exciting, scary, daunting and challenging. It opens your mind and body to new possibility. It reminds you of past failures, you know, those New Year resolutions that gather dust in your mind or on the crumbling sticky note you taped to the fridge or your desk.

But at first, it’s like the crackle of the book binding when you open it for the first time. You’re eager and ready to begin. Maybe, if you’re smart, you’ve enlisted a friend or two to launch with you and to keep each other engaged, on track, and to stay the course. Having a team, even if it’s only two, is always easier.

Case in point: Last summer, Elaine and I hiked up to Lion Lakes. We knew it would be tough, just to the main lake. We also knew there were two more upper lakes and we’d never be closer. The “trail” from the main lake to the higher lakes was little more than suggestion. We were determined and eventually found our way to the first upper lake.

Taking our “us-ie,” we agreed, as a team, that this lake would have to do for the day. Seventeen and a half miles from sun-up, our very tired feet heaved a sigh of relief at the sight of the coach and four, Elaine’s Subaru, at the trail parking lot. Being in it together made all the difference.

You can join our Make-a-Wish team by donating today and by sharing our link with others who could donate: Make-a-Wish with Educators in the Hills