Expecting to feel a little relief from the July Texas heat, the temperature in the need-to-crawl tunnel only seemed to be more torturous because of the claustrophobic feeling of the caves.

I’d heard that it was going to be a tight drag through the cave. My one prior experience gave me all the tools I needed to be prepared including the audacious attitude. I worked my way through the twists and turns, earning every bruise and scratch with enthusiasm for the big payoff–the glittering room full of astounding formations. Every time I smacked my head on a rock or felt the dirt slither down every part of my body with sweat, I just thought about the room.

The final test I had to endure was getting through the “Birth Canal.” I thought I had made my body fit through some tight spaces before, but this was going to be an examination of mind over body. I saw three men go through it before me with little struggle. The guy immediately in front of me had pretty wide shoulders, so I figured I’d have no problem.

One of the challenges with the “Birth Canal” was that it was angled up so anyone would have to crawl up into it. I began inching my way through, feeling every scrape against my already tender body. Rocks began to drive into my shoulders, my stomach and my legs, but I just endured the pain. One detail I failed to take into account was that I’ve grown into a woman since the last time I went through the birth canal.

I really began to struggle, barely being able to inch with my feet since my left arm was through the canal and my right arm was tucked under my body. Pain hit different parts of my body. Panic started taking over my mind. Just then, a sharp pain came from my left breast. A rock had dug into it and would not allow me to move any further. I was begging for help from the guys already in the room. But the thought of touching a woman’s breast was somehow funny to them. What MAN doesn’t want to touch a woman’s breast?? I was in so much pain; now anger and frustration were taking over.

“What was I going to do? I had to get out of here.”

I was finally able to free my right hand just enough to reach the rock and move it. I began making progress and finally I made it through.

In my mind, I insisted that entire struggle would be worth it. I opened my eyes and looked around. But I just could not find the energy to appreciate the damn room. I was so exhausted, bruised and dirty that all I wanted to do was leave. But then it hit me, in order to leave I had to go through the “Birth Canal” again.

“Maybe I’ll just stay and learn to appreciate the room for a very long time.”