Just Quoted

" Even the mud on the soles of your feet carry memories. " - David Alan Bates

The Story

I have begun training at the gym, it's always been a small dream to bulk up a little and I finally threw the wallet on the counter and signed up.

I was going to only kick off with the 'gear' I already had which meant clothing not entirely suited for sports or sporting wear which are years old.

The only apparel I have which is under one year old is the pair of Reebok's I bought to climb Mt. Kinabalu with. It still hasn't been washed and it has streaks of mud on all sides. I don't plan to wash it clean because that little bit of dirt is part of the memories I have of the climb and of my Bao Bao who braved the mountain with me.

After the climb someone commented that it's difficult to find a GF who would climb a mountain for you and so right they were. But we have separated now but I still hold those memories dear.

If you are a fan of Japan GT racing you may know that it is the tradition for some teams to spray a coat of clear paint over their winning car, dirt and all. The grime, dirt and dust of their glorious day would forever be 'one' with their car. Even any damage sustained would not be repaired. Unlike European teams who polish their winning vehicles and lay them out for display in museums and showrooms the Japanese get the true idea of 'preserving' every ounce of 'experience' the car went through by sealing all the dirt in. These car no doubt also go on display, but they appear to have just come off the track.

Back to my shoes, it is an identical pair to what my Bao Bao bought for the climb and I wonder if she has washed her shoes.

It took me 18 hours of non-stop climbing from the base camp to reach the peak and down again. My Bao Bao didn't make it to the top but we struggled down the mountain together and we (along with my dad) were the last to make it. It was already nightfall by the time we arrived and me being injured slowed everybody down. My Bao Bao was with me all the way and we supported each other both physically and mentally from start to finish.

After the climb she told me that she felt that I was the one that she would marry, but 6 months down the road I guess it was not to be.

But as a young boy once said, "we live in hope."

To that boy I give my salute and I would like to add, "and may memories keep us going until then."