I want to share a bit about my adventure in Maui since I received so much help in making this dream come true. Last week, I wasn’t even sure I was going to come. Then I thought about all the helping hands that made this possible, and it was clear backing out wasn’t an option. Thank you for the love and support that brings me here today.

Maui is beautiful and I can hardly believe I’m here in the sun and surf loving every second of it. I’m letting myself be more open to things this time around. That can be hard for me as a serious introvert, but I’m pushing myself to soak in this amazing place. Part of that is being open to making new relationships, too. So I’m going for it and I’m enjoying myself.

We surfed all morning today. Having never surfed before, I didn’t know what to expect. I guessed it would be like anything else, I’d just have to get the feel for it. That instinct was pretty much right on point.

Surfing is hard work, which I was afraid of, but so far I’m holding tough. There’s a lot of paddling and a lot of hoisting myself back up on the board. It’s exhausting but I don’t even notice it with the thrill of catching a wave taking up all my attention.

Surfing seems to be mostly about timing. When the timing is aligned, everything comes together effortlessly. It’s hard to explain, and it isn’t a feeling I’ve had in a long time. I’m so glad to be reminded of how that sensation. I’ve largely forgotten what it feels like to have everything click into place. Things have been vary degrees of hard and unhappy for a long time. It was fantastic to feel the opposite and now I know it’s out there and it can be part of my life if I look for it.

After surfing our faces off, I went snorkeling this afternoon as well. I got some freestyle strokes in and the range of motion I have in the water feels incredible. I saw lots of fish and a few turtles. I even saw a tiny baby turtle…unless regular adult turtles come in extra small. I don’t know. Either way, it was super fun.

All I can really say is that I’m really happy to be here. I’m happy to be alive and I’m so appreciative of this opportunity. I’m happy to know that a little bit of the athlete in me is waking up. She’s still in there. There is still time to recover. It’s a continuum, and I’ll just keep chasing down the dream. Nothing will stop me. Not even me.

Give ‘Em Hell