We received the invitation several weeks ago with the announcement that Charliann Becker had graduated from the University of Idaho in May. Her aunt and uncle, Bob and Maryetta Williams, wanted all who had played an important role in her life to celebrate with this young lady on her most recent success.
Upon graduation, Charliann had earned the distinction of Phi Beta Kappa and had selected the University of Kentucky to move on with her Master's Degree in library science. She and Maryetta had also gone on a three-week tour of England, Scotland and Wales right after graduation. So, the luncheon was set for yesterday afternoon at the Williams' Sandpoint house on South Ella.
As a teenager and young adult, I used to ride horses with Charliann's mother, Winnie McDonald Becker. Sadly, Winnie died from cancer when Charliann was a high school sophomore. As a friend of Winnie's, I felt a responsibility to lend a helping hand however I could for Charliann when she enrolled in my junior English class.
Oh, I helped her a bit, but she ended up turning the tables her senior year as my English aide. To say she took good care of me by grading papers, recording grades, and completing general errands was an understatement.
Later, we kept one of Charliann's horses, Bunny, here at the place for a year. That's how we got to know Bob and Maryetta, both educators, who have lived in Utah for a number of years. They've been Charliann's guardians since her mother died and have done an impeccable job watching after her needs. Yesterday's festive luncheon with its balloons and good eats was no exception.
And the guests, as they showed up, reflected a much welcome flavor of old-time Bonner County. Lots of longtime Wrencoe folks, from where Winnie and Maryetta grew up, along with the horse crowd and Ella Street neighbors attended--- giving the gathering a sense of comfort and hometown stability. Bill and I enjoyed seeing and visiting with other guests who, like us, were happy to celebrate this significant milestone in Charliann's life.
We excused ourselves about 2:30 to meet another commitment for the afternoon. Bill had given me a pair of hiking poles for my birthday, and I had promised that I'd try them out as we hiked the Mickinnick Trail clear to the top, this time. Willie, Bill and I had gone up there Thursday night and had surpassed our previous efforts earlier this spring. But this past week, the Forest Service had completed its work on the trail and announced it was ready for hikers.
The hikers came yesterday, and once again, our threesome ran into some familiar faces: Kim and Julie Keaton, Tim Cochran, Vicki Lee and Jane Stoll. We met two or three other groups and a couple of dogs as we pushed our way upward. Yes, pushed. Using those hiking poles is much like cross country skiing. One can push the poles into the ground and gain support while going upward.
While descending the 3-mile, somewhat grueling pathway, which offers some spectacular views of Sandpoint, the lake, the Cabinet Mountains, and even a distant glimpse of Cocolalla Lake to the south, the poles saved my old knees some pain. I still ached amply, though, when I reached the water fountain and tidy Forest Service restroom at the end of the trail, but I'm confident, the poles spared me even more suffering.
It was a great day for reflecting two accomplishments: a former student's academic success and her promising future along with our goal to reach the top of our Greenhorn Mountain.
In both cases, a little help along the way made all the difference.
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