9.4.09

Two years.... I'm not quite sure where the time went. I still remember this day two years ago as if it happened yesterday. Somehow we found a way to move forward, but your memory has never left us. We move forward one day at a time. Still grieving. Still in shock. Sometimes in despair. Yet continue on we must, for that is what you would have wanted. So much has happened since you left us, and I find myself wishing more than ever that you were here to share some special moments with us.

The past year has been an incredible year for your family, one I'm so thankful that they've been blessed to have. God has been so good to us of late. Your sister was such a beautiful bride, stunning in her ivory white dress. I know you saw her and wished her peace and happiness on that October day. I felt you there. I saw you there. We all did. Thank you. Thank you for being there in the only way you could. We heard the waves stop for a brief moment as Danielle and Mark said their vows, and I saw the clouds part and the sun shine down as she made her entrance. It took me a moment to realize it was you giving them your blessing from up above. And with that the day really was complete and perfect.

Grandma turned 80, can you believe it!! I wasn't there for the party but boy do I wish I was, and I know you were missed there too. You always are. I think now more than ever we always seem to reflect on the fact that there was something there you would have loved. We miss your big smile brightening up the room. We miss your pride and admiration for the Lakers and your joy at each and every win. We miss your laugh. We miss you Travis. Today, Yesterday, and Tomorrow. That will never change. We will continue to move forward because there is no way to go back. We try to learn from the hard lessons to make our futures a little easier and a little brighter, I know you would have wanted it that way. Sometimes it's hard, especially in those special moments. I wish you could be here to share and experience your beautiful sister's marriage and her soon to be born baby girl. You would be so proud of the strong woman she has become. We are all so excited for baby Madison to enter this world and I wish you were here to welcome her to life with us. Be comforted in the fact that while she may not know your physical presence she will know all about you. She'll see pictures and be told stories about the Travis we all knew and loved.

Two years.... I've spent countless hours reflecting on what has happened and thinking about you and your family, but no matter how much time I spend thinking, part of me will never understand why God took you so soon. It seems so unfair, a life taken at such a young and precious age. I am comforted in the fact that one day I too will be standing in God's glory and then and only then will I truly understand why things have unfolded the way that they have. Faith. In times of tragedy we turn to our faith, we dive deeper into our love and devotion for the Lord and we seek comfort in the fact that all this is somehow part of a bigger plan. God needed you, for whatever reason, more than we do. One day we will all meet again Travis, and until that day comes we will still look for you, in the stillness of the ocean and the rays of a setting sun.

May you forever rest in peace.

xoxo

T

Happy Bday Katie G!

I'm a few days late posting this one...

But I want to wish one of my favorite gals a spectacular bday. Can't wait to celebrate over drinks, good food, and great friendship. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to me and to all those around you!

HAPPY (BELATED) BIRTHDAY KATIE G!

~ T

Perspective

Most of you who read this blog send me little notes from time to time saying how something I wrote moved you, made you smile, brightened your day, or maybe made you laugh. I always smile reading these notes knowing that even as small as it may be, that somehow I've made a positive impact on those around me.

Sometimes I get asked how I am always so positive and so happy, I guess people wonder if things ever get me upset.

I am human. Of course things make me sad, or mad, or depressed, sometimes sick, occasionally really angry. I am not happy and positive 100% of the time....

BUT I SURE DO TRY TO BE

When I was little my Daddy would always say to me, "is the glass half empty or is it half full?"

I know it may sound a bit cliche but the fact of the matter is, I truly believe that most of what happens in our lives is a direct reflection of our outlook and our attitude about life. Nobody's life is perfect, mine sure is far from it. I work way too much. I spend very little time on me. Bad things happen around me everyday. The world seems to be getting darker and darker. But, every moment of every day I have a choice (and so do you). I can look at all this negativity around me and let it creep inside my veins, or I can choose to recognize the positives around me, no matter how small they may be. I choose (most of the time) to focus on the good things, that killer workout at the gym, even if it was short. Or running around the soccer field, even if my team looses. Or the one customer that walks out of my restaurant smiling ear to ear because something we did just made their day. Those little moments of magic make up for all the bad ones, and those are the moments I choose to focus on.

Perspective.

That's all it boils down to. You either have a positive one, or you don't. It's not about where we are at in life, or the paths we had bestowed upon us. It's not about our income levels. It's not about where we live or what we drive. It's not about the money in the bank accounts. Perspective is about you and it comes only from within. It is not what happens to you, but how you choose to view and react to life.

Perspective. I choose to have a positive, upbeat, and happy one. And I'm certain its far better than the alternative.

Think about it. Perspective. What's yours?

~T

invest in yourself

In the world today we are surrounded by causes. Help end world hunger. Promote Peace. Buy cookies for the girl scouts, and give the boy scouts money for their box car races. Serve food at the homeless shelter. Walk 5 miles to help find a cure for breast cancer, alzheimers, cancer, leukemia. Be a big brother or a big sister.

The causes are all around us, and yes all of them are equally important. Do your part. Be socially aware and help those around you. Be generous, gracious, genuine, and sincere. One day it may be you needing that helping hand.

But don't forget to help yourself. Buy yourself that new pair of running shoes or the new bike that will get you up off the couch and out onto the pavement. Take the class you've been wanting to but just haven't seemed to find the time to. Take Sunday off, get out of the office, and go somewhere, for you.

I'm not saying to forget those around us or to neglect the needs of others, but what we have to stop doing is neglecting ourselves. Face it. You work hard. Give yourself a break! It's OK. The to-do list and the pile sitting on your desk, it will still be there. But your health, your happiness, your well being, that can fade away far too quickly and is much more difficult to get back on track. Take the time to invest in yourself for your future and the future of those around you.

I promise you, it is one investment that is guaranteed to reap a large reward.

xoxo

T

To my super awesome hard working brother....

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

I am so proud of you and all of your hard work.

Love you!

T

you receive what you give

People often say you receive what you give. This is true. You want love, give love. You want happiness, share joy. It is my belief that in life what we think and feel are in turn reflected back on us. Life, is a mirror reflecting YOU back at yourself. No one ever said that the circumstances of life would be easy or perfect, no one ever said that life would be without challenge, trials, or tribulations. Life IS difficult. But no matter how hard times get, no matter how rough it is or how bad you want to throw in the towel you can't. You can't give up. You can't always change the bad into good, but what you can change is the way you view yourself, those around you, and the world. I guarantee you, little by little as you change your own inner perspective to that of a positive one, suddenly the world around you won't seem quite so dark, scary, and ugly. But don't expect the world to change for you... you must start deep within yourself.

~ T

make me better

Last night I attended a fabulous dinner event with a few of my closest friends. As we sat around the table laughing, drinking goblets full of delicious wine, and feasting on fabulous fare, we shared stories, life lessons, and some good hearted fun. At one point a group of people were asked how they knew each other and what they enjoyed about the other so much. The response was so simple, yet so thoughtful and so true... simply, "she makes me better."

In relationships we are always looking for the person who catches our eye, the one who makes those little butterflies in your stomach erupt and flutter around like crazy. The person who makes you smile EVERY time you see them. The person who simply takes your breath away. These are all common signs of a bit of chemistry and meddling of the heart. But there has to be more, the "other" needs to push you to be better. For yourself. For them. For your family. For you friends. For everyone around you.

And why do we have to stop there? Shouldn't everyone we allow into our inner circle do that. Shouldn't we always want to be better? It seems to me that is the reason God placed us here on this earth, was so that we could brighten not only our own lives, but those of the people around us. It seems to me that if we can make our closest loved ones, friends, and family better and we can make the world a little bit better, then collectively the world might just become a better, nicer, and much more beautiful place.

~ T