Back to the Mountains...

I took a trip to Colorado this past weekend. When I booked it, nervously, four months ago, I had no idea how great the timing of the trip would be. As expected, the experience conjured up many emotions. Those mountains...they will do it to you.

Taking a little bit of freedom back when flying up into the sky, away from it all. Ha! I've still got it! Yes, I will take that Bloody Mary now.
Also feeling the aching responsibility of motherhood on my shoulders when we would experience turbulance. Am I really going for three nights?

Smelling DIA, remembering the tearful reunions. That feeling where I really could not wait one more minute until I turned the corner and saw Matt there waiting for me, after one month apart. The hikes, the condo, the visitors, the house, the places we went. Things I had not thought about in seven years came right back to me as we passed down streets.

Familiar smiles and friends from long ago. Sadness when I realized I had almost forgotten how great it really all was...how good I really had it...and how lucky I was to end up in that marketing department with friends who would become that book club. We've all been through a lot. We are almost all mothers now. But damn, we still look good - or better! Even better!
It was fun telling them where I've been, what I've done...they were all so interested and proud of me. "We always knew you'd be great at it!" "We still talk about you and your craziness!" It felt good to be remembered.

Afternoon tea in Boulder with two of my favorite girls. Nothing can't be talked about. Hashing out my anxiety, worries...it's all on the table. We always pick right up where we left off - a sure sign of a solid friendship. Quality friends.
"You have to get over that feeling that you are missing out on something," says Jennifer. I knew I called her (jokingly but really) my "Life Coach" for a reason. Walking away, I have a new "consciousness" that I wasn't expecting.

Trails were walked...so many nights with Scout, my new dog. Matt worked third shift and on those nights, it was always Scout and I. We lived across from a dog park and beautiful trail system. Staring out at the Plains, I tried not to cry when I remembered the puppy. Scout was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week and we are still reeling a bit from it. Has it been that long? It really isn't fair. So now we wait - with treats, and hugs and playing catch as long as she can. Just one more Colorado memory.

And lastly - I read a book on the trip. The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. All I can really say is that if you are a mom, and a daughter to someone, you really just have to read it.

So off I go...with all of this in my back pocket.
Thank God for this trip.