Yesterday felt like the day I could die. I got to the top of Mount Katahdin and I felt done — like there wasn’t anything left for me to complete. I stood there, leaning on the sign that read 5,269 ft high, and for a second I couldn’t stop myself from crying.
I don’t know what it is about the top of mountains, but sometimes they bring me too much peace. So much peace that I wish I could shut my eyes and never have to wake up again.
I don’t mean that I actually want to die — it’s hard to explain. For the few moments after I reach the top, I take a longing look at the view, then find a large rock to lie on. I shut my eyes and let myself sink.
I can feel my breath steady as my body lies still. All the noise in my brain dissipates and, just for a second, it feels like everything is going to be okay. I don’t know how to explain why or what it really feels like.
But if I had to put it in a couple words, it feels like I could die happy.
And I think that’s something we all hope for.