It takes a village!

Working professionally in the education field over the last 20 years, I’ve heard the expression “It takes a village” too many times to count. Initially the comment was almost always directed toward “that” kid, “that family” “that situation” but my how things have changed! No longer do I see that expression as a sign of weakness or inability, I now see it as declaration of support, by all those around you, and me!

Losing my father and experiencing my own medical challenges within the last 6 months has reshaped my life and a good number of my views on things. Nothing quite like seeing your hero pass away and then literally seeing him in your own reflection to shake you to the core.

So many questions arise that give me pause, great pause, greatest pause and allow those quiet moments to open your mind to life’s possibilities and big wonderings.

*Will I end up like my dad? Dead at 68 from cancer?

*What have I done with my life up ’til this point to make it worthwhile?

*How did I get so lucky to have a partner that’s so strong, smart and beautiful to be with me through all this?

* Do my 2 smart kiddos and newest fur baby sense when I don’t have everything figured out and will they continue to believe me when dad tells them “it’ll be okay”

The older I get the more I realize that while I’m getting pretty good at some things, there’s SO much I have left to learn and most likely won’t before time is up. At the risk of sounding too gloomy on this gloomy CO Thursday, I’m going to sprinkle in some bits of hope and beautiful support!

They are: My wife, kids and newest fur baby… Finn River Goldsberry

My mom

My In-Laws

My graying and increasingly curmudgeonly bromantic buds

My PCP (doctor, not hallucinogen)

My therapist

My chiropractor

My nutritionist

My dentist

My colleagues

My students

My pickleball players

MY VILLAGE–Thank you all for everything you do for me and I hope that I have, can and someday will provide you all with the same genuine care and support that you all have provided to me!