When we travel and are away from all the people who love to tell us that we are too old to do something, we take chances we would not otherwise attempt. My husband and I were in Viseu, Portugal. Getting to the museum we wanted to see required walking up a very steep hill that seemed insurmountable for two 70-somethings. The funicular to it was closed, and my first instinct was to turn around and not risk having a heart attack.
I knew that if my children were there, they would tell me to sit this one out. But I love museums, and this one was historical and full of religious art, which my husband and I love. So, with no one there to stop me, I started up the steep hill. I imagine it would take a younger person maybe ten minutes, without stopping along the way. It took me over thirty minutes, because I had to keep stopping to let my heart rate slow down. I held on to every post on the sidewalk, and I rested in every doorway, without, I hope, disturbing the occupants.
It was one of the hardest climbs I’d ever made, and there were times when I thought about turning around. But I kept going until I reached the top. My husband was so happy, because if I chose to abandon the climb, he would have felt honor-bound to come with me. That was part of my reasoning for making the effort. The museum and church were so worth the huffing and puffing to get to the top. I felt quite proud of myself, and my husband thought me brave.
Help from Heaven 
Lovely pictures! The huffing and puffing was indeed worth it! 😃
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