Get Awesome

Last night and today were simply amazing. I hopped into a car with 3 of my close friends to head east for the night. We embarked on our adventure leading us out of the city we all love. No longer in range of work, stress, life worries. Just an adventure leading us over a mountain and into the east plains. We descended into a valley carved by our maker holding a winding river only lit by the moon. Stories. Laughter. Smiles.

The beginning of a summer. No longer is summer a time where I have 3 months of freedom. Only a season of beautiful weather and a chance to capture one of the most breath taking landscapes on the earth, the Pacific Northwest. I am engulfed by work. Drowning in it. Only to be struggling along, paying insurance, making rent, life.

The water was cold as first but the sunshine made up for everything. The raft guided by the 4th person in the crew, no other then my hero, Brett my brother. We launched only to hit some of the first waves and loose one of our passengers, my other brother, Cam. We had begun our fun run on the Dechutes River. Laughing. Smiling. Stories.

The stress that work brings daily, weekly, monthly becomes overwhelming. Depression settles in only to bring low self worth. Injuries laugh at me, not allowing me to live my passion but only taking my happiness. Friends become rare as they plug away at their own dilemmas and walks of life. The pit engulfed me.

Story after story and laugh after laugh we floated the river. The sun was smiling at us and we enjoyed its company. The water was carrying us. Sometimes we paddled and the guide turned the boat into the carefully calculated path. His decisions avoided rocks and kept people safe. Sometimes the paddling was tough but in the end we reached our goals. We made it through. Wet, choking on water sometimes, but alive. Stories. Laughing. Smiling.

Sometimes you just want to say enough is enough. Give up. Pack up and head out of town. Settle in a new nest. Maybe you just wanna mix it up some.

Today my life was perfect. Today meant something. Today was the best day I have had in a very long time. Today I stand smiling and laughing trying to tell a story with my brothers and friends. Today was worth all the lousy days. Thanks Brett Butcher, Cameron Wierson, Tawney Henderson and Ruthie. Love you all