Wednesday – 03 October 2018

All the journeys of this great adventure
It didn’t always feel that way
I wouldn’t trade them because I made them
The best I could, and that’s enough to say
Some days were dark
I wish that I could live it all again
Some nights were bright
I wish that I could live it all again
     -“Headlong Flight,” Rush
I did the math and it seems that today marks the anniversary of the date that I arrived in Salt Lake City as a resident. Twenty years ago.
It was a brave undertaking, to say the least, to pack up my life and move across the country: I had no friends of my own here, a “new” job (really same job, different location), and no close-at-hand support system. Things did not go well initially, but I committed to giving it a year to see what happened. Turns out that Life got better. It wasn’t immediate. It wasn’t fun. It was a slow, painfully journey.

From Summer 1999 (I think…) (c) NoteablePhoto

One year later found me in a better place. All the wounds of the previous year hadn’t completely healed, but I was feeling more optimistic about being – and staying – here. There were new friends, a (slight) change in job, and Continental and Southwest made sure that I could get home occasionally for whatever additional family support I needed.
Twenty years down the line and things have only gotten better, including marrying the lovely SaraRules! nine years ago today. (“Including?” Strike that. Change it to “Especially.”) Happy anniversary, Sara!

Gettin’ married!

The fact that both anniversaries fall on the same day wasn’t something that was planned. It’s definitely the epitome of a “happy coincidence.” What they do have in common is that they are/were days full of life-changing experiences which, come Hell or high water, I wouldn’t give up or change for anything.
All the treasures, the gold and glory
It didn’t always feel that way
I don’t regret it – I’ll never forget it
I wouldn’t trade tomorrow for today