Michele writes…..

In the dark of night along a lake in what many refer to as “a third world country” (though to me this country and the people are richer than most) I was privileged enough to engage in some really great conversations with the girls. Conversations that even without sharing the details (what’s shared at the lake stays with the lady of the lake) one can deduce that only moments matter. That sitting around a campfire with simple and complicated conversations matters more than anything else in this world to me. This place and this time gave me a chance to share and to hear things that, without this experience, I would have never known. Listening is easy when there’s no other distractions happening. Sharing is harder, but under the cover of night, a world away from reality, it’s easier to be a little freer. I will forever be grateful for this moment.

One of the stories I shared happened before Luca went up to bed. It was a story from my experience on Outward Bound in 1999. There were lots of layers to this story about Outward Bound, (including me almost dying both physically and emotionally). But the part that Luca was present for was about doing hard things and how there was a guy in my crew who showed up for me and helped me when I physically couldn’t carry my bag anymore (my 75 pound backpack). The funny part comes in when Nicole returns and shared Luca’s take away from the story. While putting Luca to sleep he said to Nicole…”Tia should have married Matthew…. the guy who carried her backpack.” So Matthew if you’re out there, I got some baggage you can carry lol 😆 jk.