I like to think I'm not a follower. That I am my own person and do my own thing. And that is largely true. But I'm also smart (or lazy) enough to know that following in the footsteps of great people just makes great sense. So I follow Todd into great adventure. I follow my sister on a path of love and kindness toward others that she makes look effortless. I follow my mother on a path of life learning and believing that obstacles can be overcome. I follow my brothers anywhere...figuratively and literally. They all put family first and are good to their mom. Who wouldn't want to follow that example?! They are funny. They are gentlemen. They don't judge (a personal trait I need to work on). They run, ride, hike, hunt, and play hard. I've always followed them because they go cool places and do good things.
When I was little I followed my brothers up a steep mountain behind my aunt's house. All was good until it was time to come back down. When I turned around and saw how high we'd climbed I froze. Even sweet, patient Marvin couldn't convince me to come down. So he went back to the house and got my uncle. And sweet, patient Uncle Butch climbed the mountain and carried me down to safety. (Notice the common thread of "sweet & patient" in the men in my family? I do too.)
I recently went back to California and saw that mountain. It wasn't the Alps, but it also wasn't the gentle slope I feared it may have been in reality and only grown large in retrospect. It was a big, steep wall of earth and trees. I visited my Uncle and reminded him of the story, which he didn't recall but thought was funny. I guess when you're genuinely kind you do things for others without thinking about it.
That is a lot of rambling. But what I take from it, and the advice I'd give based on it, is this: Don't be afraid to follow greatness. Keep climbing and don't look down. And surround yourself with wonderful people who love you.
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