This week is the beginning of the holiday season and it is so easy to get caught up and stressed with the “giving” that we do, the cleaning we slave over and the time that we have to manage so carefully.
It is so important that we sit back and enjoy the moments that we have with everyone around us. Lately, Adam and I have had a lot of time to “think” and spend trying to figure it all out. We are not any closer to figuring it out than we were two months ago, but we have each other, the baby, Eunee, our family and our health.
Last night, I received some really upsetting news. Although we only lived in Denver for 11 months, I was fortunate enough to work at The Cheesecake Factory with a great guy named Howie. He was a smiling red head with an amazing personality and only 26 years old. He had a fun little twang in his speech and his energy was contagious. He had a sweet young son and always showed us pictures of him on his phone… very proud Papa.
One of our other coworkers, one of his roommates and also an amazing guy, found Howie late Saturday night stabbed to death outside their home. This is something you read about but never even think for a moment of it happening to anyone you know…because it seems so unreal.
Police are still investigating and have no idea why it happened although I believe they have arrested a suspect. The news said years ago the house they were living in was a “chop shop.” Although my sweet CCakers didn’t live there then, maybe this was related to the people who used to live there. I have absolutely no idea.
I do know that this is extremely tragic and sad that someone so wonderful could be taken so brutally and so before he was able to live a long life and watch his son grow up.
I am so sad for all of his family and friends and all of my old coworkers. The restaurant business is a long and fun one. It allows you the chance to form amazing friendships and spend so much time with the people you work with. Pretty much the entire restaurant is one big family and I can only imagine how many heavy hearts are in Denver right now.
To all of you in Denver, please know that I am thinking of you, even from afar and Howie, I am so glad I was able to spend time getting to know you. You are such a kind soul and I thank you for being a part of my life.
For everyone else, please remember what this time of year is truly about. And although things may seem tough, life may be a bit rough and money may be a bit tight, the sun will rise again and tomorrow is a new day for life and living.
This is the latest article from The Denver Post on the investigation.
Keep exploring
Stay in the loop
Intentionally and incrementally. Most families who live this way did not leap from conventional to adventurous overnight. They built remote work capacity, paid down debt, tested longer trips, and had increasingly honest conversations about what they actually want from their lives. The leap feels bigger from outside than from inside.
Different for every family. For some it is long-term travel. For others it is weekend adventures close to home. What connects them is intentionality about how time is spent and a preference for experiences over accumulation. The version that fits your family is the right one.
By finding stability within the adventure rather than treating them as opposites. Routines, rituals, and family rhythms travel with you. Familiar foods, bedtime routines, and predictable family dynamics provide stability even when the location changes. Kids need consistency in relationships more than consistency in geography.
That people are fundamentally similar across cultures in what they want for their families. That comfort zone is a smaller circle than it feels from inside. That the things worth having in life require effort and discomfort to get. And that time together doing hard interesting things is the most reliable source of family closeness.
By getting clear on why you made the choices you made and returning to that clarity when the outside noise gets loud. Most families living unconventionally describe an initial period of explaining themselves that gradually gives way to just living the life. The explaining becomes less necessary as the results become visible.
Share this:
Discover more from Adventures We Seek
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Nicole, I felt sadness in my heart reading this blog. Your well written and vivid introduction of Howie, made me feel like I also knew him. So very sorry for the tragedy and the loss. We add our prayers and condolences for his family and friends. To you, my sweet niece, I send a special hug. So much wisdom for one so young!
Everyday is a gift we often forget to cherish. Thank you for reminding us.
Our love to you, Adam, Baby and Eunee.
xxoo
Thanks Renata. This is truly a horrible tragedy. XOXO