Early morning thoughts

4:30 this morning came too fast. K and I have been commuting to work together. We ride to the light rail together and he heads one direction and I head the other. This has been good for me because his schedule is NOT flexible and we HAVE to be out the door at a definite time, plus I get in at least an extra hour because his commute is longer. Anyway, this morning he had to be at work by 7, which meant we had to be at the light rail at 6! I'm the only one in the office, though usually there is at least one other woman who comes in early. I'm planning to work at least 10 hours today to get in my 40 before Friday (did some hours yesterday), since we're heading to Telluride Friday morning. So exciting, but I'll come back to that.

I talked to my Uncle H. this weekend. He is really my great uncle on my dad's side but has been more like the grandfather figure in my life since Papa Jim died when I was barely 2. Needless to say, U.H. is 98 and doing relatively well all things considering at least until the last couple months. Just this past month did he move into a true assisted living facility! When we talked Saturday morning, he said "They come in and bath me, but I'll get back to where I do that myself soon." Basically, he had another fall (one of about three the last six months, though AMAZINGLY he has not broken anything any time). This last fall was originally believed to be a stroke but I  they changed that diagnosis. Either way, after spending a few weeks in in-patient physical therapy he's now in the assisted living part of the same medical facility. He knew that he didn't really have a choice but maintains he intends to get back to doing most things by himself . . . what a spirit he has. I bring up U.H. because he's been so completely supportive of my decision to move and my being here in Colorado, both financially and mentally. He's really been so supportive of me in general most of my life but it has particularly meant so much to me during this process because of the lack thereof by the rest of my family. I can tell in his voice how proud he is for me getting out of Mississippi. (He had casually expressed to me some time ago, when I first started law school, that I should consider moving out of Mississippi for the lack of opportunity there.) I won't go into this side conversation about Mississippi here but I mention it here to give the context of U.H.'s support of me. Every time we talk, even when he's been in the hospital bed and I've called to discuss his health, he would change the conversation to me and ask, "Any news?" and when I would reply he would say, "Hang in there, just hang in there. It will work out, C."

Regardless, his encouragement and support and assurance and belief in me has been invaluable during these last few months. He's been there for me in ways that one would expect their parents to be but yet mine have failed miserably in that area. I don't particularly blame them or have any anger about it all, but when U.H. does give me those encouraging words and I realize their affect on me, I inevitably realize those are exactly the things I am not getting from mom and dad. Honestly, I've known for a long time that they just aren't that type of people... encouraging, assuring, positive, supportive.  Before this decision there were numerous other situations where they just were not there for me in the emotional way I needed. And that is okay. I have K in my life and he gives me enormous support and encouragement, as well as numerous friends who love and support me. So, is this just the norm? Is this the cycle of life (not to be so cheesy)? I guess it is part of coming into your own adult-person and making decisions that are best for you versus being under your parents' wings. Although, I don't believe that in all situations the parents don't also evolve into "supporters" of their children's lives versus the decision makers. ...well, in a perfect world I suppose.

I'm not sure any of this will make sense to the reader and I am most positive that only my sister would understand the depth of the references of my parents. Quite honestly, I don't have the desire to even go prying into that hole! Besides, this is about me and my experiences and general surface explanations will suffice for now.

We had a rainy weekend . . . apparently that "NEVER" happens in Colorado. It has been below 50 the last two nights, and that apparently "NEVER" happens this time of year in Colorado. Along with the 70 mph winds we had multiple times last month, as well as the 98 degree day we had in May. If I had a quarter for every time I have heard, "it's NEVER like this in Colorado," I would have funded my plane ticket home already!

Anyway, K and I rode our bikes to get Chipolte Friday afternoon only to get caught in a downpour for most of the way home (which was not just down the street!) Then Saturday morning we did not change our plans to ride the trail downtown to REI, although it had officially been raining for 24 hours and only forcasted to continue the same. Haha. Needless to say were were in the rain more than we were out of the rain this weekend but we "saved gas and burned carbs!" (A slogan on the bicycle shop we pass all the time.)

We are all geared up for Telluride and pretty much just have to make a couple salads, pack up the car and one last stop at the store for perishables. I can't believe we've pulled this off but I know it will be a trip for the ages . . . and the best part is we live here and are able to do the whole experience for way less than most everyone else attending the Festival. Here is a video of the "tarp run" . . .similar to the "chair race" at the Neshoba County Fair. A lot of the people and things we've read about the festival have reminded me of the Fair. Mostly how the "festivarians" are Telluride Bluegrass Festival (TBF) driven the majority of the year.



Here's also a link I just found with some footage.  The festival is officially this week, but folks have been heading to Telluride since last week.