Unravelling with a Smile

#2 Hurricane Helene

Words cannot express the reasons why this is on my list. But a few experiences that are etched into my memory are: seeing only building roofs among the French Broad River, seeing a neighborhood with over 150 trees down, hearing chainsaws, helicopters and emergency vehicles day and night, the powerful urge to volunteer and help however I could, only being able to communicate via a Garmin InReach, taking a wild guess and being right that a town in South Carolina would have groceries and the road would be open, the emotional toll when finally getting out of town and seeing the destruction from the news and social media’s eyes, learning about public utilities like water, telephone lines, and power lines, clapping as a group of lineman trucks drove through Highland brewery parking lot, listening to the daily radio broadcast with many of the West Asheville community at a Cellerest, getting updates on resources from pieces of paper posted on windows at the library and other local sites, eating a free sandwich from Regina’s while I talk to my sister on the phone for the first time, receiving water bottles in the mail and goodies in a Walmart order, AND SO MANY MORE.

#3 Presenting at NSM
Before leaving, my boss made sure that I was on the schedule as a trainer for the National Sales Meeting for Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Without his help, it was up to me to build and present a 3-hour lesson on having “Difficult Conversations” for over 200 sales employees at a resort south of Los Angles! And I KILLED IT! I walked off that stage so proud of the conversations people had, and the learnings people walked away with. It took a lot of practice to stand up in front of so many that have been in the business much longer than me. But I could talk about the brain for hours. It is my secret facilitator weapon.

#4 12 Days of Yoga

With four losses (deaths, a breakup and boss leaving) in the first two months of the year, I felt a little strung out emotionally. AND I wanted to process my emotions right. I wanted to give myself the space to be sad. I wanted to move my body so nothing got stuck. Around this time, YogaGirl posted a 12-day yoga challenge. She had put together 12 of her videos with a challenge that every day, just do one. I did that and then some! There were days I cried, days I felt I was getting stronger and days where I started numb and by the end I miraculously felt more connected to myself than I had ever been. During the Shavasana of these classes, I would try to connect with my inner world and the pieces of me that needed to express emotion and be comforted. Best thing about this year was that I learned how to be there for myself! 

#5 Taking a Chance on Donald
A North Carolina boy from Ohio came into my life asking for good places to go in New Mexico on a road trip. We both developed a crush after a few more phone calls and camping trips. He very quickly wanted to be my boyfriend. I am not known for wanting to make things official very fast. But his heart seemed to be in the right place and I took a chance on believing the good in him. Since then he has made me laugh, listened to my feelings, thoughts, worries, goals, answered most of my questions, we have sat in uncomfy emotions together, met each other’s families, gone on a few adventures, and learned more and more about each other. I do not know what 2025 has in store but I hope it is more with him.

#6 Choosing Community in AVL
Friendsgiving 2023 was the first time I felt part of a community since my high school friend group. In 2024, that feeling grew exponentially! I started 2024 in a long distance relationship that ended because I could not fathom moving away from the community I built. I choose Asheville and I choose a community of people that are incredible. I will be thanking myself for that choice for many years to come! 

#7 Visiting Eric and Laura
For a while Thanksgiving was my time to see my best friends Eric and Laura. Times have changed, but that does not stop me from seeing them. In February, I visited Laura. During this visit all I wanted was to be 100% present with her and her kids. NO PHONES or photos for me! We ended up playing with playdough on the kitchen floor and cutting my hair while on the phone with Laura’s sister. That experience reminded me of the old times, hanging out in their bathroom trying a bunch of new styles!

In August, I visited Eric in Seattle. The first time I visited I was not able to see Mount Rainer due to weather. This time I was determined. Unfortunately, the weather foiled our camping plans. But on my last day, we woke up early and made our way to Mount Rainer National Park! I made us hike a little more than we were planning in search for the best views. Of course the best views we got were from the parking lot where we drank our Rainer beers and ate our sandwiches! Once we got home, racing the clock to get me to the airport, Eric still whipped out an incredible and healthy dinner! GAH I love these friends! 🙂 

#8 Chattanooga Girls Trip
I am not great at feeling accepted by girls. When I was part of the group planning to go to Chattanooga, TN, I was ecstatic! My only request was that we make it to the aquarium and we did! The river exhibit was mindblowing. The river fish in Asia are HUGE! In addition to the aquarium, we made pizza, played games, and went out on the town one night! I am so grateful for this group of girls that actually make things happen out of the group chat! 

#9 Funeral and Burial of Nana and Aunt Tracy
My nana had been threatening to die for several years. It finally happened in a way that could not have been better. She was able to say goodbye to everyone but was not in too much pain for too long. My aunt on the other hand was the matriarch to take her place. She passed away 30 days after Nana! She did not say goodbye to anyone as it was in her sleep. This was a lot of heartbreak. But the heartbreak and events following connected all, including the parts of the family that do not regularly see each other. I attended my aunt’s funeral and my nana’s burial. Each event was filled with reconnecting, sadness, good food, laughter, family heirlooms and stories of days past.

#10 Buying a New Bike
I am someone that does not like to mess with something for fear that if I mess with it, it won’t ever work the same way again. My old mountain bike was a hardtail purchased in 2017 when I had just started riding. In 2024, it had seen better days, but it fit me perfectly and I knew how to navigate it well. I thought that if I changed up my ride, I might suck again, I might fly over the handlebars, I might not like it as much and stop riding. At some point, I threw all that worry to the wind. The first bike I found that was somewhat my size and reasonably in my budget, I bought. What can I say? I liked the color! It could have been a little too small, with too big breaks, too big wheels, or too much travel. But I went for it and the reality is I love the 29 inch wheels, I love the 1X drive train! I have not yet gotten the hang of the dropper post and I have not yet figured out the body positioning that I like with the shorter geometry. But I am just proud that I stopped thinking of reasons why not to and thought about the possibilities to learn and that it is not a fully sunk cost!