Colorado Breezes

Fresh air. The most healing element of any scene. The cool wind hitting your face, the view of the mountains in the summertime. The pine trees create this aroma that makes you want to keep exploring. Colorado in July, the most refreshing place on earth. For the past two years, my dad and I have taken a trip to Vail, Colorado a couple of weeks before school starts. 

There is not much relaxation in this so-called “vacation.” When I think about vacation, I don’t automatically think about relaxation, however, I do think about getting away. For me, that is what vacation is all about, removing myself from normal life. Transporting myself into another world, both physically and mentally. Riding bikes with my dad through the trees and paved trails was my favorite memory. The freshness and calming of the breeze was something I cannot get past. Who thought literally just air could be healing right? Let me tell you, it is.

This past July when he and I went, we were going through one of the hardest times in our family with my brother. There was such a time of unknown in our life, unknown of what was going to happen next. I hadn’t seen him since January 2020, my best friend, completely out of my life, a choice that was completely his, not mine. My dad and I were hurting, badly, to say the least. We would reach out and either hear nothing or be attacked with his words. There was no in between, and there seemed to be no end to the cycle. 

He found a girl who’s one and only motive was to break him away from our family. However, instead of being a man and standing up for himself, he let her do it. I had to watch my best friend, the person that knew me better than anyone else, walk out of my life. As you can tell, 2020 was my worst year, I thought there would be no way out of this pain. I always heard about this sort of thing happening with other families, but I never thought it would happen to us. My entire family could not believe that God would do this to us. This made me question my faith at times, however, in the end, it brought our family closer than we have ever been. 

Vail was the exact medicine he and I both needed at that point in time. Just to be able to take in all of that fresh air was exactly what was necessary. Taking a minute to step back and be in awe of God’s amazing creation. We had the best time together, it was quality father-daughter time that was much needed. We hiked, biked, and just explored the adorable town. I loved every minute of it and didn’t want to leave. Even though the entire family is closer than we have ever been, my dad and I specifically, have never been closer than right now. This was the positive that came out of this situation. We all still pray that my brother will one day realize that family is constant and the most important, and re-enter our lives. It’s been a year, and I still have not seen him. It hurts, it really does, but I can’t let it consume me, even though it still does sometimes. 

The best advice I can give is to use adversity, use it to your advantage. Beat it, conquer it, do not let it get the best of you. Even though I’m telling all of you this, it’s also a great reminder for myself included. From every negative comes a positive, even though you might not understand it at the time. For anyone who thinks life comes easily without sucking sometimes (I’m not sure who could even truly believe that but nonetheless, you are not doing yourself any favors by lying. Take catastrophe, manipulate it, and apply it.