The past couple months have been nothing short of incredible.
I know November is supposed to be the season of thanksgiving, but ever since the beginning of October my heart has been overflowing with gratefulness and joy.
I suppose this blog is primarily directed at my friends and family, that they may know how much I love and appreciate them, though I’m sure no words could ever display the depths to which I do.
Yet it is also sings praise to God, for providing the exact comfort and encouragement that I needed to fully commit to and prepare for this coming year.
Due to, I’m sure, divine intervention, reunions with my 4 favorite groups of people each fell on a different weekend in October.
The first was the wedding of the first Brennan cousin in my generation to get married. In addition to it being a beautiful occasion, it also brought my family, who lives in all corners of the United States, together for a weekend of bonding, laughter, and dancing. Reminding me once again, as if I could ever forgot, how blessed I am to be a part of such a big, loving family.
The second was the biannual camping trip with a group of people that are nothing short of family. It was a weekend filled with campfires, music, sunrises, card games, colorful fall views, and irreplaceable friendships.
During the third weekend I was able to return to my alma mater for our first homecoming and spend time with some of the most inspiring people in my life. We laughed until we cried, and then we actually cried about how hard it was to be apart – revealing only that we had been truly lucky to have attended such a wonderful college and met such wonderful friends.
During Halloween weekend, I was not only able to celebrate one of my favorite seasons and holidays like a child, pumpkin carving and not so bravely attempting haunted corn mazes with my dad, but I also got to catch up with cherished friends from high school, whom I hadn’t seen in far too long.
Undoubtedly, the most emotional hours of the month followed the news of my dad’s spontaneous memory loss and subsequent hospitalization. Thankfully, he returned to full health, but during those fateful hours I could not have received more love and support. Yet again, revealing the deep, incredible, and irreplaceable support network that I’m so blessed to have around me and that makes life’s challenges much more bearable.
As if October wasn’t enough, November continued to shower me with friends and family.
I was able to spend 2 weeks with my grandparents, a whole day baking cookies with my aunts and cousins, and a weekend with both my parents together, a rare, but wonderful treat.
I share this rather verbose account of my past couple months in order to explain how perfectly it addressed my reluctances as I enter the World Race.
A fellow racer shared a picture with our squad that describes my feelings perfectly:
I don’t think I’ve ever been more aware of how incredibly rich my life is with family, friends, and love, which in many ways makes leaving everyone behind seem impossible.
But I also hear God asking me to trust Him. He laid my blessing out before me to show me that he hasn’t led me astray yet.
My family and friends are not meant to keep me in my nest, but to give me the courage to take risks. And with all their support, encouragement, and examples, they make it easy.
I’m thankful for the opportunity of the World Race, and for the support system that makes taking it seem possible.
