Endings and Beginnings

Today marked then of a an era for me personally.  In 2008 I found myself at a turning point.  I started playing Ultimate around this time and meeting folks who saw the world a little bit differently.  Something for which I needed to do myself.  I played a lot of Ultimate during this time.  Even went so far as to challenge myself to make it on the local club team and made it all the way to Austin to play on the big stage.  It was a great experience, something I'll never forget.

I began climbing that year, and although that doesn't sound like something life changing, it was for me.  It complimented what I was doing in Ultimate by challenging myself mentally and physically.  I met people who wanted to do the same, which made me want to do it more.  This climbing culture change my approach to life: do the things you enjoy, share those things with loved ones and friends, and don't worry about the rest.  Climbing sort of lead me to Isabelle.  We ended up having one of our first dates at the local climbing gym.  I think that helped to solidify the bond between us.  Climbing will do that to ya!

I also started tutoring and mentoring during this time period.  I came across this opportunity just like everything else that's seemed to happen in my life: luck.  This too changed my life in a dramatic way.  I learned what it means to actually "do what you say."  Taking the time out of my Saturday morning to help those less fortunate has been one of the most rewards experiences I've ever had.  To know that I may have made the slighted impact on a young persons life, makes my soul feel so good.

As I hit the temporary pause button on those activities to bring a newborn into this world with Isabelle, I look back and wonder: what would I have been like had I decided not to do any of those activities.  Perhaps I wouldn't be happily married.  Perhaps a kid from Parramore wouldn't have made the right decision to study a little more and stay away from the wrong crowd.  Who knows.  What I do know, is that I'll continue my approach to life and share that with my wife and kid(s) for years to come.  It's a new era... and I'm ready to live it.