On top of the World

The only thing that kept me going was the thought of empowering pride I would feel when I reached the top. Me and my family were up in Braemar, Scotland, walking up the tall mound of mud, rock and heather, determined to reach the top. We were all spread out up and down the hill, all going our different paces. My older sister was ahead with my dad, and my mum and younger sister behind me.

I only stopped if I had to. When I found streams of cascading water shooting down the hill beside me , I would pull out my compactible blue cup, and try some. It was as clear as the sky that sunny day of October. Each mouthful was more refreshing than the last. It was pure bliss, I had never tasted anything as fresh as the water on the Scottish hills of Braemar.

If you looked into the far distance you could see people walking up the hill opposite. It brought a smile to my face seeing two blue and red dots slowly ascend, in my eyes, One of wonders of nature. If you averted your eyes, groups of Stag were climbing up and along the mounds themselves. It was heart warming seeing each and every one of them in a world different to ours.

I kept climbing, saying to myself I wouldn't stop. It was actually quite nice making it on my own. Of course, my family were on the same journey, but it felt exciting to say I didn't need help from anyone to make it up there. I could take my own path. Through puddles, craggy broken down areas of rock, and calming streams, I started to see the top. Even just looking at it felt exhilarating. I looked down and felt proud of how far I had come, but I didn't stop there. 

I thought to myself the view from the very top would be worth the hours of walking.

And it was. It was perfect.

When I reached the top, everything was silent. It was as if someone had muted the entire world. Not one sound to hear, or one thought to overthink. It was as if all my worries had just disappeared. As I looked over the hill, I could see what was our car as a spec from where I was stood, and the long winding road behind it. As I wandered the stretched out crest, I reunited with my family, who had all made it up there by then. My dad brought me further along the top of the hill, and I saw a pile of stones and small rocks, from others who had made it to where I was now. I picked up a smooth bit of rock from the floor, and placed it in the middle of the big yet small lump of what I saw as a celebration of victory.

We all barely spoke to one another when we were up there, as we didn't want to break the silence. For a minute I felt like that was all I needed in life, as if reaching the top and being up there was all I wanted. But the pride I mentioned earlier soon took over, as I mentally patted myself on the back. I smiled to myself, realising I had made it.

I was on top of the World.