Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
This weekend I celebrated Susan as we reached another one of her birthdays since her passing two years ago. I wanted to get outside and enjoy life a little while remembering her. It is still hard at times, but life moves on. I’m also trying not to make excuses for missing out on rides with friends. It was easy for me to make excuses for traffic or something else in the year after her passing.
Susan after a day of riding at Brandywine!
Friday, I took off work to ride with my buddy Brice at Brandywine Creek State Park. Susan and I visited this park more than a few times in the past. Brice, and his wife Megan, just bought a new house in Wilmington, DE, so now they are closer to the trails at Brandywine. I met him at his new home, got a tour, and rode to the trails. Whether intentional or not, Brice made sure I had a good time. I appreciate that, buddy!
Sunday, I headed back up there to join Brice and our friend Matt Miller, who is home from New Zealand visiting family for a couple of weeks. Matt is also who sets me up with training plans. We had a great day of stories, laughs, and riding. It was great to catch up with Matt and hear the bits of an accent creep in through that classic NZ colloquialism he’s been around the past four years.
It’s incredible how your perspective changes after losing your wife. I no longer care if I’m in bumper-to-bumper traffic. I try to plan for it and focus on what is ahead, the time spent with friends. This is how Susan lived her life; she didn’t sweat the small stuff. Life is short.
Life is short.
I miss her and am not afraid to admit that it’s easy to get misty-eyed when I write like this. She was an amazing person and partner. When I look at photos of her, I still can not believe that she is gone.
I’m moving forward and am hopeful that I can sell our house soon. It’s challenging to live in “our home.” I know that once I put the sale of the house behind me, I will close that chapter of our life together.
I look forward to brighter days and my new life.
