Tonight I'm really thankful...

[skiing-in-jackson]

Tonight I’m really thankful…

Wow, it’s been a quite a trip.

Fifteen years ago I arrived in Jackson. On the day before Thanksgiving. This is a big day for me.

I dropped out of grad classes for a summer trip. The Appalachian Trail soon grew old and my friend and I looked west. Far west to the John Muir Trail. After a night on the summit of Mount Whitney I realized I could never go back.

But I did.

I needed money and courage to escape. West.

I partied and lost sight of my goals.

It was November, and I woke up one morning and said to myself, “Today is the day”. I wrote a note to my boss explaining why I wasn’t going to be there that day and I loaded all of my stuff into the back seat of a 1988 Prelude. I had $212.00.

I went home for the weekend, visited with the only sibling I could trust as my actions weren’t proper for a boy of my upbringing and left.

Sunday night I said, “I’ll call you” to my parents, and walked out the door. I had a bag of cassette tapes and a larger bag of weed, but my tape player didn’t work and the weed did, so I was reduced to listening to FM across western NC. I found out later that night that Freddy Mercury had died. Little did I know that this would mean, I would listen to Queen on every radio station across the country. Because of this, Queen holds a place in my heart.

Lots of Queen. I remember that pretty well.

On Wednesday afternoon I arrived in Jackson Hole. I had $38.00.

The rest is history.

I stayed in the homeless mission for two nights. I pleaded for a job that had housing. I really pleaded. I learned to ski and moved out the following spring. I had the best boss one could ever dream of. My boss for the next three summers was part Drill Sergeant, part Father, and I needed that, I really did.

I climbed, skied, and partied.

When I got here there were no girls in town. One night we sat around and talked about where we had seen girls. One skid (skiing dirtbag- ski d) piped up that he had talked to a guy who had a friend who knew a girl. Times were tough.

I met a girl. We married quick. I knew a good thing when I saw it.

We had a baby.

I got a real job.

#2 came along.

I screwed my employer.

I became partners with a billionaire. I couldn’t believe it.

I saw who he made me become and told him to stuff it.

We sold everything we owned and moved into a VW bus. We traveled for a year.

#3 came along.

Florida gets a bad rap. It is really nice to sit on the beach every day. We sat on the beach for nine months straight. Really.

When we came back to Wyoming, the Red Carpet was rolled out for us. Everything worked out great.

#4 came along.

I got tempted and returned to a real job. Screw that. I wanted to ski. I wanted to ski with my kids. I wanted to be a husband.

I’m poor. My kids have what they need, not what they want.

I’ve lived on the line and I’m thankful that I took some chances. I get to be a father and a husband. I’m poor and I like it- it makes me think about the choices that affect my life.

I wouldn’t trade with you for a million dollars. Or a billion dollars.

Tonight I’m thankful.

Be who you are and live in peace.

Make the bold choices I made. Your bold choices will serve you and those you don’t even know yet.

Happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful. Are you?

[rideit]

I arrived in Jackson with $1.86 in my pocket, on Jan 10, 20 below, nowhere to sleep. My dog Cody had to crash in the car. A dude named reggie let me crash at his place, and I found a job at Targhee the next week. It has been up, down, sideways, and catywumpus, but I don't regret a bit of it. Happily married, soulfully skiing and riding, and living a pretty damn good life when I'm not needing some kind of surgery. Happy t-day...Ten years later...it was NEVER about no stinkin' turkey.

[andyC]

I know I'm a jong and all, and my opinion probably doesn't mean much to you, but that is some very inspirational stuff. It takes so much strength to be able turn down the average joe lifestyle, and instead go for what really makes you happy. Many people say that this is a good choice for a little bit, but then you need to settle down. Well, your story is proof that you can live this way all your life, be happy, and get by just as well as the next guy.

Thanks for the story. It is nice to see someone who can follow their dreams for real, and it definitely changes my perspective. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[andyC]

awesome story....

i am definitely thankful.

today i got some horrible news... my cousin's wife who is 3 years younger, found out she has stage 3 or something like that... breast cancer. they are putting her into chemo tomorrow. various medical experts in our extended family said, it doesn't look good. she and my cousin have a 3 y/o and an baby less than 1 y/o. this has definitely rocked our families in million different ways.

so i am definitely thankful that i am blessed with choices i have made, where i live, the things i enjoy, and most importantly my wife and kids.

peace... and prayers for my cousin, his wife, and family.

+++++++++vibes+++++++++

I know the feeling. Just found out a couple days ago that my grandmother who has been battling cancer for a couple years is no longer able to receive chemo treatments. It could be a month, it could be two years, but either way, her time with us is nearing an end. I am going to spend as much time as possible with her in the coming months.

[Nik]

Sweet story man. Jackson is a good place, with a lot of good people. You are lucky, sounds like your one of them, I'd say being a good person from Jackson is definately not something you can put a value on. Keep on living the dream-

Thankful for all the good stoke here, even for a jong

[FigureEleven]

Wicked story!

[gtdrew]

thanks for that. I needed it. chills really.

[meatdrink9]

Word.

I too am pretty thankful this year. It's been a wild ride. Doing grunt work leaves me with lots of time to think. My most recent epiphany has been one of gratitude and an attempt at humility. It was almost like writing a song in my head. The title of the song would be something like "These two feet (can't stand on them). Then the lyrics would go on to explain how I somehow get credit for all this crazy stuff, but in all honesty I can't even stand on my own. Sure I try to do my part, but it's just a part. Sort of a realization/awareness of those around you moment.

Somehow you end up with credit for skiing stuff (and lots of free gear). Guess what, no one would've seen or given a damn had it not been for Dad behind the camera and for the safety and precaution he and MOE provide. Somehow you get credit for the success of your design work. Honestly, you wouldn't have shit to do if it weren't for friends bringing you countless jobs. You get credit for your real estate dealings, but without the mrs, without family, without a friend from the board none of it would have even begun to take shape this year.

I'm glad to be in the hands of others. My life is richer because of those around me. For that I am thankful. Tomorrow I get to go ski groomers with my family and then eat a turkey. Does it get any better?

[TheDon]

Thanks everyone, good stories.

I am thankful for Love, Life and Peace.

God Bless

[dk_alaskan]

I too am very thankful. Most things in life i have had to fight for including being alive. I have been left for dead, almost kicked out of school, kicked out of an avy, and survived various other injuries that could have done others in. If it weren't for helmets, i would be drinking out of a sippy cup today instead of the mug I am right now. I am thankful for all I have and for all that i don't--it makes me more thankful for what i have.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and have a great deep and safe season

p.s +++++vibes going out to you and your family Onehotchilli,

[shera]

Really, truly, I would be nothing without my maggot family, those of you known to me and those that will cross my path in the days and years to come.

At this moment, as Blurred sleeps in my bed and powow and bernardo are mummied on my living room floor, and I think of tonight when Z and any other maggots might come over to eat, drink, and make merry, I know that my life is rich and beautiful because of all of you.

Thank you all, for being, and for being here.

...extra thanks to splat also. You are one of the special and wonderful people walking the planet today.

[solstice]

Tonight I’m really thankful…



I’m poor. My kids have what they need, not what they want.

Should apply to all of us in this country of excess....be thankful for having what you need, some don't even have that.

[Crinkle]

this morning I am thankful for my loving wife, who has provided me with a beautiful kid. We both get to work from home, as stressful as it can be to try to get work done and watch Corben at the same time, its so worth it. The same wife (at the time fiancee) jumped at my suggestion to move to Colorado, to escape the families, the dreaded east coast hub-bub. 4.5 years ago we did a "research" trip to D-town and loved it. I immeadiately felt at home with giant mtns lurcking near, it gave inner peace. After moving hear I found that standing on them with 2 sticks, gave even more peace. Colorado and all the people that I have shared it with have filled a hole inside me. I am thankful that I have listened to my inner voice and followed it. In 4 years of marriage, we have done a ton, moved 1700 miles from what we thought was home, rented, bought a great house, both now work from home, had a kid, met some wonderful people that I don't know what my life would be without. happy turkey day, life is good

[bdog]

Tonight I’m really thankful…

Be who you are and live in peace.

Make the bold choices I made. Your bold choices will serve you and those you don’t even know yet.

Happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful. Are you?

Thank you. You have just validated my life choices. Not that they needed validation, but sometimes when the dark closes in and one wonders about the path they have followed I question it. It has always been about the skiing and the mountains and the soul. Thank you for your post.

[Natedogg]

Kickazz fellas.

[Tectonically_Neglected]

This thread got me thinking... (excellent post btw)

[dear diary dribble]
... thinking again, about moving to the mountains. Something that's been on my mind for so long. Somehow it's never happened. First a gf. Then a job,then kid, gf became wife, house, promotion... yeah, yeah, I know. I'm not blaming them btw, it's me I'm pissed at.

And the urge for mountains, fluctuates, comes and goes. But they're always there in the back of my mind. Lord knows I've tried. But with 100% commitment? Probably not.

Is the grass greaner on the other side? I mean, I get lots of days off a year (42). Got the car to get me to the mountains and the €'s too... excuses, excuses...

I went to my high school reunion last weekend and left, leaving irritated. Irritated at myself for not being able to make my dreams come true. Then I read this post and I realise what a shitload of balls it takes to make it happen...

... and that's where I'm at once again. Contemplating if I have the cojones to make this happen. To make it happen for the family now. I don't know if I'm fooling myself by thinking that I do have some kind of plan (the plan being that I am now trying to gather experience at my job that will make me land a job in the alps easier) or that I actually am working at my chances. Am I just making it harder and harder to leave by staying longer and longer?

So many pro's and con's it makes my head hurt.
[/dear diary dribble]

Huge props to you guys out there who did make it happen. Your actions are an inspiration to ppl like me.

[P_McPoser]

I'm just happy to be employed, have a roof over my head, gas in the truck, and a loving companion. Happy Thanksgiving all!

[natty dread]

I’m poor. My kids have what they need, not what they want.

Good choice. Time/love/attention are 100000000X more important to kids than material posessions, even if they don't yet know this.

[Natedogg]

This thread got me thinking...

Werd. My situation exactly. Problem is, my gf would never move to the mtns. Unless they are the "mtns" of western MA. Which actually aint too shabby. But Im feelin ya.

[Tectonically_Neglected]

Werd. My situation exactly. Problem is, my gf would never move to the mtns. Unless they are the "mtns" of western MA. Which actually aint too shabby. But Im feelin ya.

I got a kind of OK from her... But I know that for her, the biggest problem is the language (and culture) difference. That and her moving away from her mom/dad/sis.

I can see me landing some kind of mediocre job over in Austria of Switz but her landing one at the same time??? Doubtful. Probable scenario: me at work, learning the language and making friends. Wife at home with kid, hard to speak the language, limited freedom in what she can do with a kid = 'hello, difficult integration' = tension at home = moving back to NL in no time.

...excuses, excuses...

[truth]

Wow.

I'm not even sure where to start.

Things I have and am most thankful for: Love, her, more love, friends, more love, a partner, more love, health (about damn time!), more love, nephews, more love, a wedding date, more love, winter and a Snowbasin pass.