2020-08-28 — Warrior

Hi folks,

Today I’m gonna dedicate this post to one of the strongest, most amazing people I’ve ever met.

My dear friend Brittani.

She and I have been friends for… over a decade now, and I’ve been witness to her strength and courage many times, from the beginning of our friendship to today. She inspires me and sometimes leaves me without words–in awe.

Today was one of those days. We’ve been talking a lot recently, and sometimes we have conversations about really hard topics, and today was one of those. I won’t go into it for her privacy sake, but… she did it again. She’s like this gentle warrior. Compassionate as the day is long, but with the courage to withstand anything.

I don’t want to embarrass her too much, so I won’t say much more, other than that I’m grateful to have a friend like her in my life.

Thank you, Brittani.

…

On a more boring and almost completely unimportant note in comparison, it’s been a long work day. Up at 5:30 to get my tech going. I had a pretty rough morning because I had the “night thing” happen last night, and it was a really bad one. I woke up feeling pretty awful because I was definitely awake for the end of it. That was rough.

It’s hard for me personally not to spiral after that.

I’m doing okay right now though, with that. Hopefully, I’ll stay that way.

I overscheduled my tech, so I had to push off some jobs to other days, and he ended up working way late, and I paid him extra for having to stay out late for me. I’m grateful for him and all his work for me.

Perhaps the biggest part of the day was a long conversation I had with my friend Brittani, and the reason for why I started the post the way that I did today. We were having a conversation, and we got on a topic that for pretty much everyone is a dangerous topic to be on–super easy to get hurt and… even emotionally maimed on, and I’m telling you… my friend is… incredible. We plowed through it, …some crazy stuff, too, and… she barely blinked. It might sound overly dramatic to all y’all, but remember who’s writing here. I’m not one for hyperbole. I dislike the use of superlatives. I prefer very precise language, and this woman is… she’s… more than words.

The stuff of legend. 😊

Anyway, so it’s been a hard day in many respects but a good day as always.

Another highlight of the day was getting to see my oldest sister one last time before I leave Seattle, getting to see my Aunt Leti before I leave and before she moves to Utah in a couple weeks, and getting to meet up and see my sister Tish as well. That was lovely to see all three of them. Been a couple years. I wish I were here for longer, but I won’t let it be so long between visits next time.

Tomorrow morning I’ll head down to visit my sister Heather. Then I’ll brave the California wildfires to visit my sister Rebecca. Then on to Nevada to see my dad and stepmom, Cindy, and then home.

I’ve got… a lot of driving staring me in the face over the next handful of days. somewhere between 45-50 hours on the road, I think. It’s already been a lot of driving, but there’s a lot more to go–a lot more. I’m only a little over a third of the way through the driving part of the trip. Let’s hope this little car can make it. 😬

#1. I’m grateful for my friend Brittani’s courage and example. She’s an example of so many positive character traits.

#2. I’m grateful for the plum trees. I keep eating tart plums because I’m not patient enough for them to get ripe, but… I like tart plums. 😊

#3. I’m grateful to have been able to see and say goodbye to my family members today.

#4. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been here, to have the flexibility to work from anywhere, even if the time zone makes it super hard.

#5. I’m grateful to have the modern conveniences that allow for quick and and easy meal prep.

Well, my lovelies. Thanks, love. Love is the key. As the character in the animated Robin Hood said, “Love conquers all.”

One day, it will for me, too. I look forward to that day. In the meantime, I’ll give all the love I have while I work to increase my capacity and the breadth and depth of what I’m capable.

Loves and hugs.

Lift the World.

~ stephen