a little time in a different setting | perspective

via ferrata | ogden, Utah

When I was little, I loved to climb all over everything. At our cottage, I climbed all the rocks along the channel to Lake Michigan. When not outdoors I would climb the counters, once reaching the "candy" that my grandparents kept out of reach and helping myself to each of the brightly colored little round and oval shaped treats, which freaked the shit out of my grandmother. Thankfully they weren't on any hardcore meds -- I probably had a bunch of bright pink tablets that probably made me sleep like an angel.

I'm out in Utah, which has strangely become a second home for us through a generous gift from my in-laws. Over a decade ago, they decided, wisely, that a great gift for their kids and their families was to pay a place for a ski vacation, keep all the grandkids together. We chose Park City and have been coming here ever since. When it became difficult to rent a property that accommodated all of us, our times matching up, etc., we looked into purchasing a place together. That has been the springboard for our deepened connection to Park City, one that has lasted over thirteen years.

I'm so grateful for the privilege to come out here. I love the mountains and the laid back attitude that they are constantly suggesting. It is the awe of something so much bigger, greater than us, that stops me in my tracks and readjusts everything inside of me. This world is so much bigger than us. Our moments, despite being heavy and hard, and sometimes feeling too overwhelming, are just moments in time. We will last through these hard times, this stress, this discomfort in our life. I love to be reminded of this -- and for some reason, it is always the force of nature, whether it is Lake Michigan with its insane currents, amazing waves, and gorgeous sunsets, or the mountains out west -- I absolutely love that there is something bigger than me, stronger than me that has persisted and acts as a resolute guide in life, instructing me through each trial and tragedy.