Life has been throwing me curveballs and kicking my ass since I got back to Kansas City. Been trying and testing my will and strength to persevere despite it all, and I gotta admit, I've let it get the best of me. But, sometimes that's okay.
Enough food to feed a fuck ton more than the four people my mother made it for, although none of it will go to waste!
This last weekend was Thanksgiving, traditionally celebrated as a harvest festival, though it's rooted in a much darker place. There is a lot of negativity associated with this holiday, although Thanksgiving has its good merits as well. It has a funny way of invoking these thankful and gracious vibes, but at the same time being one of the most consumer driven cash draws of the year. Sometimes, we really need to take a giant step back and really reflect and be thankful for how fortunate we really are.
The chapel my grandfather taught in and where his memorial was held.
My normally adventurous spirit has been quite stifled as of late, but I did get to go back to my birthplace a few weekends ago to attend my grandfather's memorial. Grigg Fountain was an exemplary man and professor, a former head choir professor at Northwestern University, and that's where his memorial was held. There was a nice choral and organ performance, and though it being of a religious nature, it was not something I am normally interested in, but it was a beautiful service, nonetheless. RIP Grigg.
Al's Beef, the Bean, and the bros looking dapper.
This year has been a really interesting reflection and journey. Readjusting to life back in America, the struggle to find work, the struggle to find myself back in a place I no longer consider home, and the dreaded new elected president. Much of my time was spent trying to just make it through, not fully trying to take steps forward. However, I am very happy to say that I have recently begun a new journey as an associate art director for a fantastic company here in Kansas City.
Visiting the good old Char, and my chalk lettering of the beer list. With every ending, comes a fantastic new beginning.
I'm back and I'm ready to face the world and its fears head on. I'm ready to take a stand not only for myself, but for others who cannot do so for themselves.
I am thankful for my new friends, and the old ones I don't get to see but once a year.
I challenge anyone and everyone who reads this post to take time out of their day to improve someone else’s day, whether that's checking in on an old friend, calling a relative, or doing a random act of kindness. The world can only get better one action at a time, no matter how small.
BE A GOOD HUMAN. Shirts sold by my bro's friend here.
I can now only do my best stay positive, be kind to one another, and put good vibes out into the world. Join me! Be kind, love each other, and never give up hope!