9/11 Tag

lessons that remain the same

I sat at the counter reading a book today at a yummy little spot for a late Sunday brunch. Veggie scramble; onions, tomatoes, peppers and white cheddar hot and melty paired with a biscuit and potatoes. The happy place. That relaxing time on a weekend day in no rush. I Googled “Blue Lollipop Road read these books” on my phone looking for this link to a post I wrote last summer, so I could send it to a friend who was just gifted one of the books on my favorites list. I suppose by the power, algorithms, or whatever other technological thing that works to populate things on each of our phones like they are reading our minds, this video popped up. I made it 5 years ago today on 9/11/11 during my Honda sponsored road trip:

Wow. I feel like I look like a kid, a much younger, more innocent version of myself. Whoa nelly…if I had any idea what kind of news, terrorism, or hardships that were about to come in life- I’m not sure I would’ve looked halfway as fresh and excited as I did.

When you’re someone who goes through tremendous loss at a very young age, the ache in your heart goes deep and stays there. You learn to live with it and carry on as happily as possible, but on days like today when you just know so many other people in the world are missing that person they loved so much- It’s like there’s this automatic three ton weight on your chest for the strangers who you will never meet.

Countless beautiful and wonderful things have happened since I made the above video. I’m sure you can look back at the past 5 years and say the same. Moving forward the pendulum will swing a billion times to good and bad again. It feels thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. Let us be reminded; there is no time to wait to start living. There is no good time or bad time to start, be, do go – whatever we want to. In order to do something we have to start doing it first.

Go out there, kick some ass, take some names, and lay a big wet smacker on someone you love. Don’t put up with bullshit for longer than it takes you to gain a lesson, don’t be afraid to switch things up or quit what’s not working, high five a stranger, and eat some chocolate after your run.

Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#RememberCelebrateLive #JustDoIt #Choices

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i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again; ILOVERMONT!

These cutesy articles about various states and kinds of people that live in them always crack me up. This one about my home state of Vermont, is pretty spot on. Numbers 4, 6 ,9, 11, and 14 describe me best/are my favorites. Boy do I miss those grinders from the Bennington Pizza House with that crispy, cold shredded iceberg lettuce that I would never otherwise eat.

Oh my beautiful little Green Mountain State and all the things that come with it! (Except the cold and snow- note my carefully planned visits always revolve around warm weather months.)

VT Border

Organic Rocks

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Green Mountain Farm

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What do you love about your home state?

#ILOVERMONT #GreenMountains #FreshAirKid

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9.11.14

I write notes and hide them for people to find when I’m not around, I say “I love you” almost too much,  I text just to say hi, I send snail mail for no reason so it shows up in a mailbox as a complete surprise. I never leave without a kiss or hug, I say thank you anytime I get the chance and I tell friends & family around me I appreciate them as much as possible.

I’m not perfect, or a hero, I’m just someone who felt a loss a little over 20 years ago that I had no idea was even possible. I remember those feelings every, single, day. The above examples are ways that I do something about it, because I never want it to be too late.

On a day like today when thousands of people feel incredible loss together, my heart is heavy. While I can unfortunately say I share in the pain of losing loved ones tragically and instantly too, I can also encourage those out there who are heartbroken- to honor whomever they’ve lost by living better.

Remember. Celebrate. Live.

Remember lives lost, remember where you came from. Celebrate the memories of those not with us anymore, celebrate what’s possible. Live like you mean it- like today is THE day.

Take a minute to slow down today- and everyday moving forward, look around, say I love you. We never know what tomorrow will bring.

Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#LiveLikeYouMeanIt #TodayIsTheDay #Remember

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