As a lifestyle blogger, it is important to me to share the reality of day-to-day experiences with our community. It is true that with social media we can “create” a perception that looks beyond perfect. In reality, we all know that life is full of ups and downs.

Approximately nine days encapsulating the Thanksgiving holiday were anything but a street to stable lifestyle. A health issue concerning our family patriarch escalated to a critical situation rapidly. Our plan to host a dinner for our younger generation in Sun Valley, Idaho was moved to a smaller group in the California desert to be near my husband's father and ultimately cancelled as we instead became daily visitors in a California hospital.  His condition is improving and we have been blessed with the kindness of friends, family, hospital staff, customer service agents of all types, and genuinely good people that have more than accommodated our needs.   

After several days of being away,  I vacillated wether to travel this past  Tuesday-Thursday for a scheduled trip to train in Arizona at the farm my hunter recently moved.  The days preceding the trip were a huge wake up call for me to appreciate every moment that I have the ability to do what I love and spend time with the people and horses that make my dream a reality.  It was one of the first times that I pushed aside business and just allowed myself to be present. Yes, I still felt guilt as my nature is to meet every self-imposed guideline, but watching how quickly one’s trajectory can change has had a huge impact on seizing important experiences as they present themselves.

I believe we should acknowledge the special relationships in our lives and this is best achieved through personalized gestures.  As we traverse through this holiday season, try to remember that it is the thought that counts behind each of your actions. This week’s column of living street to stable is the accumulation of a few tips of how I celebrate the holidays and try to recognize those that are special in my life.

SALUT!