6/15/2020

 "I am That."

To My Grandkids,
​     Last week I was at the Grand Canyon, and it was unbelievable. 
     When I first pulled into the parking lot, something in my gut told me I needed to leave my phone in the car, and just BE there in the moment.  The second I was close enough to see the Grand Canyon,  I was so overwhelmed by how GREAT it is. I walked on the trail that goes along the rim, and I saw an area where you can leave the trail and go down onto a rock that sticks out over the canyon. Of course, I climbed down there, and walked to the edge. I sat on the corner, legs dangling over the edge, and realized that this moment... THIS MOMENT is the moment I live and breathe for.  I was so overwhelmed with LOVE for this life, myself, and just pure AMAZEMENT. A tear rolled down my face, and with it left every bit of doubt I ever had for myself. Every single bump in the road, every single day I had ever felt stuck- Its gone. Nothing but a drop, falling 6,000 feet to its death, leaving me with complete PEACE. I am HERE, out in the world doing what I always dreamed, and it's only the beginning of the rest of my life.
     When we were at camp a couple weeks ago, I met an amazing man named Dana. One morning, we were all sitting together having brunch, and he asked me a very special question.. Everyone at camp was talking about their "moment", how they got to where they were today, and the big AHA moments that make us who we are. The answers ranged from a job lost, turning out to be a soul searching journey, filling every day with adventures, to spiritual awakenings, to having children, traveling the world, etc etc.. Without hesitation, I told him my moment was RIGHT NOW. Every single breath I take is honestly the best "moment" of my life... and its TRUE.
     I could go on and on trying to explain how exhilarating it feels to appreciate life, but nothing compares to making that decision, and living that way.
     As I sat above the canyon, I met some amazing people. One lady I only talked to in passing, but she sticks out in my head. I was sitting on the edge, and I heard her ask her husband how I got down there, so I went over and showed her to climb down. The whole time she was thinking about it, her husband was trying everything in his power to keep her in his reach- he did NOT want her in 'harms way'. At one point he even grabbed her arm out of fear, and I shouted up to the couple that "Life on the edge is the best way to live!" With that, she pushed him away, and began climbing down, ignoring his plea for her to stop. When she got down to the edge, she stopped in her tracks- stuck in complete awe. She thanked me for getting her out of her comfort zone- not only is the view better from the edge, but she overcame a fear, and did not let anyone get in the way of her living her best life in the moment.
     
     If there is one thing traveling has taught me (actually, theres a million things its taught me) it would be the simple act of being GRATEFUL. 
     To be grateful is to appreciate every moment. Every breath, every adventure, every soul to cross my path, and every lesson to be learned. To be grateful is to be open to the BEAUTY of the world, rather than focusing on the negative. It is to acknowledge how truly blessed we are. It is to LOVE every person we cross, and show them how special they are.
     If you are grateful for all that you have, your big "moment" will be every time you inhale- it will become your LIFE.
      
Life is amazing, and it is also a choice.
You either get out there and live-
or you don't.

I am going to take you all over the world one day. There is no better lesson than the one learned by BEING THERE. I'm so excited to meet you one day!
I Love you!
-Your Baby Grandma J

P.S.
Put it on your bucket list to watch the sun SET and RISE over the Grand Canyon!!
​I watched both, and they are AMAZING.

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