"Finding Pleasure In All Their Simple Joys, Remembering Her Own Child-Life, And The Happy Summer Days...”

Tonight I turned on my favorite country station and began to pack my bags to head back to Kentucky. Tomorrow is my last day in Colorado and I can't help but think how fast time has gone since I have been here. I folded up my Spartan Finisher shirt and smiled, thinking back to my very first Sunday in the Springs, and held the medals in my hand that I had won that day...traces of dried mud still remained. It's a bittersweet feeling.  I came out to Colorado accomplishing so much. I learned new things about myself and built a stronger relationship with God and my sister and her beautiful family. As my time here comes to an end I feel thankful and blessed along with so many other emotions.

Today as Diana recovers from getting her wisdom teeth taken out, I had a 'Jo Jo and girls' day with Sarah and Carolyn. I surprised them and took them to a magic show, then took them to play in the fountain at the park and ended our little girls day with ice cream from Cold Stone. Needless to say, they were two pretty happy girls.

Since we were young Diana and I have always been partners in crime. I think that my favorite part about my trip to Colorado is that I have grown and become a better person because of my older sister. As we get older we have friends who come and go. Old friends, new friends, coworkers, the guy whose cubicle is right next to yours, the woman who says hi to you every morning at Starbucks...every person we meet in our life has an impact on us. However, there is no kind of impact, like the one from a sister. A sister who has seen me at my worst, and now at my best...she has been by my side no matter what and has always reassured me that things do in fact get better. She hasn't guided me wrong yet.

I have used a lot of Alice in Wonderland quotes in this blog series because I feel like we can all relate to Alice in one way or another. Just as her life is full of good and bad choices, so are ours. However, as the story goes Alice learns her lesson and ultimately becomes a better person. I want everyone to take the challenge that I did. I want you to take chances, make choices whether they are good or bad and learn from them. I challenge you to dust off your moral compass and go for an adventure. Find pleasure in the simple things and be thankful for the times you get to spend with your family, friends and yourself.

See you soon, Kentucky. :)