My favorite future Trail Talkers reminding all of us of the lightness of life {and inflatability of their stomachs}

Hi friends, it’s been a while, and I’m sorry for that. I promised myself that when I returned to corporate life, I would make a dedicated effort to keep this blog, something that makes me so happy, up and running.

I’m eager to share with you all the update on Havasupi Falls! I started on the wrap-up over two weeks ago, but I’ve also learned a few things since being back in the corporate world:

1. it’s harder than I estimated to carve out time
2. it’s more important than I imagined to carve out time to fulfill my non-work interests

Despite getting my ass kicked at work, I’d kept my personal promise and found those extra minutes a day to write. My second day back on the job, I sat on a sad, chain restaurant bar stool in suburban Illinois and over a solo dinner of blah, I wrote to you all. And you know what? I loved it. It made my day better. I was on track to keep my commitment until something I didn’t anticipate happened – Tuesday, November 8th. Like many of you, my world stopped. I’ll save you all the rehashing, but it’s been a week and now going on two. I’ve stopped writing. I’ve stopped calling friends. I’ve stopped un-forced smiling.

I’ve read countless opinion pieces on how this happened, an inbox full of despondent/disbelieving/analyzing/pseudo-encouraging/attempted uplifting emails from friends, and every post in the pantsuit nation.

My heart aches deeply. I don’t know what to say. I came across an Instagram photo from one of my favorite humans, Michael Franti, today. His words resonated with me in a way no words have been able to lately.

“Everybody oughta hug somebody, at least once a day”

And for the first time in days, I smiled. Yes, we all need a hug. A big one. And for the next four years, I might need two a day, but we can overcome this.