Hello Everyone,

Admittedly, it has been a while since I last wrote. I find myself going for long stretches of time between my writing. If I’m honest I think it has more to do with the fact that I am lazy rather than uninspired. I find there is constantly many subjects on my mind that I can write about, but usually they remain in the old thick noodle.

Today Kilah, Syd, and I went to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We had a really good time and were able to really enjoy the day. The Sun was shining, breeze in the air, and not a care in the world. We finished the day with a good cup of white mocha at a local bookstore called Poor Richard’s. While I enjoyed my coffee I pondered on being able to enjoy life without worry. How is it that we can let so many trivial “problems” get in the way of our happiness? I realize that some people have legitimate things to worry about, but mine seem to pale in comparison when I put them under the microscope. To be fair, we are doing really well right now. I have a job on a historic train which I only work at four days a week. We made a decision to only work part time and enjoy our time in Colorado. We are actually making more money part time than we ever did working full time. It is the damnedest thing. The biggest problem I deal with in my life at the current moment is missing my family. However, we have been blessed with enough money to make visits home. We truly are so blessed in our current chapter of this life. I have been so conflicted over the past few months. In one hand I am in a beautiful place filled with endless things to do; on the other I miss my family something terrible. It has been hard dealing with this conundrum. However, today I finally realized how lucky and blessed I truly am. I have been given the opportunity to truly experience the beauty and magic of a special place in our world, free from many of the  worries and stresses that tend to get in the way of my happiness. I know that I will see my family and return to them, but I must remember to live in the now. It has taken a while to realize it, but I am slowly but surely making my way. I feel like we are always looking forward to tomorrow, the weekend, our next payday, our next vacation, or our next chapter in life. The grass always seems greener on the other side or in the next field we think we see. We need to slow down and enjoy the time we have been given in our current chapter. We need to love those we share our time with. We need to go on those long hikes and camping trips. We need to attend those social events and go to those poetry readings. We need to live like each day is a blessing,  because I’m pretty much convinced that it is! If you are reading this and think it is bullshit because your life sucks, get off your ass and change it. I would apologize for the vulgarity, but sometimes we need to be told bluntly. I know I needed it! We shape our lives and our destinies. If you hate your job, get another! If you hate where you live, move! I know you are telling yourself that it is not possible due to so many excuses. Well, I’m telling you it is!  I decided I wanted to experience life away from my comfort zone in a beautiful place. It was a hard decision, but sometimes that is exactly what it takes. A price must always be paid, and many decisions we make end up becoming a “double edged sword.” You might make the leap and you might fail, but at least you can say you tried your best. If that is truly the case, you will never fail. We must keep working toward our dreams and goals and never give up. Kilah always says, “if you say you want something and you never do it, you never really wanted it at all!” I think she has something there. Believe in yourself and take the leap. However, always remember to live in the now. We are all growing together. I hope you can learn from me as much as I learn from each of you. I love you all.

your brother,

Spencer