Like life, mountains can be seen as a series of difficulties that you need to overcome. To me, a mountain is the final 1, with body, spirit, and mind all having to work together. Being 2 is a challenge too. I wanted to do something significant to help change the 3 that friends and family had developed of me— the role of patient. I set a goal—to 4Half Dome in Yosemite. I was drawn to this destination 5 its uniqueness as its shape is unforgettably distinctive (独特) —it's 6.
In August of 1996, just ten months after my heart 7, my husband Craig and I began to hike the trail leading to Half Dome. The trail began with a mild incline (斜度), which we eagerly took at a 8 pace. I was out of breath first, but as soon as my heart 9 me, I felt energized again. I tried to go as fast as the other hikers, but found it 10 to keep up. Though the final half-mile isn't difficult, the steep (陡峭
)slope can be extremely frightening, especially for those afraid of heights. Craig, 11 the difficult task ahead, gently asked. "Do you want to 12?'' Determined to harvest the 13 for all the effort, I replied,
"Absolutely, we have to go on." Step for step, Craig stayed directly behind me, providing a 14 of security. When I finally reached the top, I was 15 with joy. Ten months after my operation, I had reached the top of Half Dome! My 16 heart had not failed me.
Looking down into the valley below, we stood in silence, amazed at how far we had come. As if the moment itself was not 17, Craig surprised me with a gold charm (吊坠)in the shape of Half Dome. As I held it in my hand, I was amazed at its 18. Craig took a moment to express how proud he was of me saying, "When I had to carry you up the stairs at night, I always looked at the photo you took of Half Dome hung on the wall and wondered if we'd ever make 19 climb." His tender words brought me to tears. We had done it; we were here at the top of the mountain — a long way from those 20 of not knowing what the future would bring.
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