Life Lessons from a Volcano — My Unexpected Mt. Etna Journey

On the morning of June 2nd, I woke at 5:30 a.m., eager for the hike up Mt. Etna my husband and I had long looked forward to. From our hotel terrace in Taormina, I hoped to catch a peaceful sunrise over the volcano in the distance. Instead, I stepped outside and froze in disbelief—flames were rising from Mt. Etna.

Now, seeing signs of activity on Europe’s most active volcano isn’t exactly unusual. But witnessing an eruption just hours before our hike stirred a mix of excitement and uncertainty. What would this mean for our day?

By 7:30 a.m., we arrived at our meeting point and learned that due to the eruption, we would no longer be hiking close to the summit. Instead, we’d be transported to a safe viewing area to observe the volcano from a distance, then hike about four miles back, exploring lava tubes and volcanic landscapes along the way.

Standing in that ash-dusted viewing area for about twenty unforgettable minutes, we marveled at the sheer force of nature. The sound of an erupting volcano is unlike anything I’ve heard—deep, primal, and earth-shaking. Flames danced from the crater, plumes of smoke billowed into the sky, and the ground seemed to hum beneath our feet. It was mesmerizing.

Still, a part of me couldn’t help but feel a little envious as I watched several other groups hiking along a distant ridge. To my novice eyes, it looked safe—perhaps even exhilarating. I wondered if we were missing out by playing it safe.

Then came the moment I’ll never forget.

As we began our descent, a thunderous boom echoed behind us. A towering column of smoke shot into the sky. The southeastern crater wall of Mt. Etna had collapsed.

Our group fell silent, hearts racing. Were those other hikers still up there?

Thankfully, we later learned that everyone was safe. But the experience left its mark. We paused, humbled and grateful—for our safety, for our guides, and for the wisdom of those who chose caution over risk.

That day, Mt. Etna didn’t just show me a spectacular display of nature’s power—it taught me three unforgettable life lessons:

1. Be careful what you wish for.

In my moment of envy, I didn’t fully grasp the risk that lay just beyond the ridge. When the crater wall collapsed, I realized how grateful I was for guides who prioritized safety over spectacle.

2. Life can change in an instant.

One minute we were admiring the view, feeling lucky to witness something so rare. The next, we were told to grab our hard hats and hurry down to safety as the sky turned dark with smoke. From calm to chaos—just like that.

3. Nature is both breathtaking and unpredictable.

To hear the volcano rumble, to feel the earth tremble, and to watch it erupt before our eyes—it reminded me how small we are, and how quickly things can shift. It’s a lesson in humility, respect, and awe.

This once-in-a-lifetime encounter with Mt. Etna is something I’ll treasure forever. It was a reminder of the Mary Davis quote I love: “To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles.”

And some of those miracles, as I learned, come with fire, smoke, and lessons I’ll carry for life.

Warmly,

~Wendy