I've decided that during this time, it is best to not force myself to write but only write when something comes to mind. Because I think the last thing that is needed during this very strange period in time is forcing yourself to have whimsy when in reality-sometimes there just isn't whimsy. And sometimes the days pass by and there truly isn't much clarity either. And so ironically in this seeing 20/20 of 2020, I've actually never felt more internally confused about my emotions, my vocation and so forth. I feel like the year 20/20 may perhaps be the most unclear year to date. But as we all know-life is full of curve balls and so little life-guides here and there are what make life that much more worthwhile these days- and that much more bearable. 

My life guide or my "Sherpa" as they call them on Mount Everest, has always been my parents of course but even moreso my brother who happens to be the same age and share the same birthday as me. To share a birthday with your own personal hero is a blessing in itself. And in case he forgets it sometimes-I'm always here to remind him that he is indeed the better half. 

Funny enough, I just wrapped up a literary unit on the cultural group "Sherpa" and "Climbing Mount Everest" where we learned where this word "Sherpa" was derived from. Truly, it is a cultural group that happens to live at the bottom of the mountain. However, many individuals make a living through guiding individuals up Mount Everest so they can conquer their dreams. Since then, the word has taken on a deeper meaning such as a "life-guide" or "life-inspirer" or even "dream-maker." 

We were working on a project today which will be released this coming week and my brother asked me if I would like to join him in collaborating on the "site-sherpa" which is essentially a google document where we work out kinks and clarifications. But I laughed because how fitting it was that my own "life-sherpa" was inviting me up the Mountain with him-which he has always done-at least for the 27 years I have known him.  In fact, watching him has always been my way of climbing up the mountain. There will never be a life-Sherpa I love more. Or a guy I would rather climb the mountain with.

Though the mountain may be steep-we will rise together. I hope tonight as you listen to the rain come down and hit the glass of the window pane, you reflect upon the Sherpas in your life that continue to guide you out of the rain and into that place of hope. We have a long way to go-but eventually, we will make it to the top. And all of those guides we had helping us through-we will look at them so very differently with more respect and love and admiration when this truly is all over.