Highlights: I met up with Eric yesterday at Plugas Ridge Reserve to hike before he returned to SFO and then Boulder. His is another friendship of significant regard and history. As we walked the mountainside, I was reminded (by him) that 11 years ago, in 2014, we walked that same path as I wrestled with the many complex feelings surrounding my decision to separate from Linda. The choices I could make, the risks and the rewards for the kids in either direction and my need for something other than what I was living. We have connected every few years as Jennifer has entered our lives and Linda has tragically departed. All in the past 10 years. Time that crawled, at times excruciatingly and painfully slow. Time that flew, too, through the kids shedding adolescence and emerging adults. Having the opportunity to reflect allowed me to briefly recognize the hand authoring my life story to be my own. Scottie has been improving leg use. It could be the CBD or the anti-inflammatory meds on the walks as PT or all three. But there is improvement. Tommy asked If I wanted to go to Monterey with him this morning. After throwing out some constraints and barriers, we ended up deciding to make some schedule adjustments and head to Rush Creek. The off-season mid-week rate was too good not to jump on. The place appears to have maybe 40 guests, tops. The 2-mile hike we took after our 1:30 arrival was stunningly silent and serene. While walking, he said, "What if this is all there is?" which opened the opportunity for me to say that if it is, it has been fucking awesome, yet to think so is likely akin to a fish in the ocean thinking that his surroundings are all there is, along with other similar observations related to the limitations of our perceptions. And that if we have any purpose, it's to leave this place better than I found it, and they represent my having succeeded.
