How did we get involved in this awesome hobby?  Are we a convuggle (coverted muggle)?  Did we love to hike and kayak and found out about this hobby from friends?  Did we see it on TV, read about in the newspaper, or see a website?

Our paths all crossed the starting line at some point, and we may have come to it differently, but we share a common purpose...we are out to seek, find, and share our stories.

I am a new Geocacher - having just logged my 29th cache this morning.  Like others, I came to my starting line out of deep sadness.  My mother, Karen Ritter, died on June 11th after a long and valiant battle with lung disease.  She fought hard, but her body could no longer carry her through, and she slipped quietly away into memory.  While I knew that she was dying, and that she had been granted so many extra months because of her perseverance, her passing was still incredibly sad.  She was my Mom and my best friend, and there is just no one around that can possibly replace her.

I knew there were just two options for me.  I could be sad and miss her while eating Snickers bars and downing Pepsi, or I could walk the many miles she could not.  She wasn’t a hiker, but she loved the woods.  She was fond of the mountains and loved lakes.  She also enjoyed puzzles and mystery, and she absolutely loved a good adventure.  In her younger years, she would have loved Geocaching.  

It is has been a little over a month since I lost my Mom.  There hasn’t been one day that I haven’t thought about her, but Geocaching has helped.  In each Cache, I dip a Courage the Lion Geocoin. He reminds me that these treasure hunts are a living memorial to her.  She had lots of courage and will power, and she would have loved the many little spots we have found in these past few weeks.    

I may never log a FTF, and I may never be able to get a hold of a 5/5, but every time I dip Courage the Lion, I remember that my quest is dedicated to the one who taught me to how to walk and climb with courage.
 

By Beth Ritter-Guth

Beth Ritter-Guth ("BethRitterGuth" on Geocaching.com) is the Educational Communication and Technology at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, CT.  Originally from Bethlehem, PA, she and her husband, Dave, live in the boarding community with their children, David (7) and Julian (6), and their many many pets.

Comments(2):

1. Courage the Lion

   Beth, what a beautiful story! I am a hospice nurse and have been treated for depression myself so I can appreciate your story from more than one point of view. I have been caching for several years and enjoy it for so many reasons - you will meet wonderful friends but solo caching is a great therapy as well. Good luck and maybe we will meet on the caching trail sometime! not2shabby Huntsville AL

   Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Alice

2. memorial

   Aloha Beth, I enjoyed your story about caching and how the passing of your mother brought you to this special hobby. I also lost my mom, Marie, two years ago, to Lung Cancer, even though she never smoked a cigarette in her life. Not only do I cache for her, but I have complete 2 marathons in her honor, I had slow times, but I finished, taking each breath for those breath she could no longer take. You may want to hide a memory cache, honoring your mom, like I have done. The beautiful comment you will receive will bring comfort. Thank you for sharing your wonderful story.

   Wednesday, July 22, 2009 Mary