Reminder of Just How Far We’ve Come

MY HISTORY — ORIGINALLY POSTED FEBRUARY 1, 2023 ON INSTAGRAM@THEPOINTOFYOU

Almost 11 years ago (2012), I was just returning to Portland, after spending 8 months in California, unsuccessfully looking for work in the Silicon Valley, again. Now, I see that I never really wanted any of those jobs. I was just looking for some place in the world that I could be of value to someone else … so I could “survive.”

As many of you know, after much initial “success” in my life, by this time, I had pretty much “given up" everything. Gratefully, I got to (though it felt like a tough “had to” back then) push the big RESTART button for my life. This is when I first started living life for my Self, to make my own dreams come true...while helping others to do the same. My journey has been, and continues to be, quite a comeback story, if I do say so my Self.

My partner then (and now), @bryanmade was in a similar boat, having gone through separation and divorce. After previously owning our own homes, we shared a 350 square foot studio apartment for nearly 3 years, while he went back to school, and I relaunched my own business.

One possession I hadn’t lost (yet), was my beloved Cannondale mountain bike. Usually, I kept it locked up in the basement of our building. At one point, I was riding it a lot, so I chose to lock it up right out outside our studio window for a few nights … until one morning I woke up, and it was gone.

I still had renters insurance (it’s cheap!), which covered the loss, but I wasn’t able to replace the bike. We needed the money to buy food. I figured I’d replace it when I got back on my feet. Over the years, other things continued to be greater priorities.

This year, for my birthday, Bryan surprised me with the opportunity to order a beautiful new mountain bike, his treat. It arrived this week, and he’s building it up for me, today.

I feel like a little kid! It’s a very generous gift … and all the more special, because it’s a sweet reminder of just how far we’ve come, individually and together … and a sweet reminder to enjoy the ride!