Living in Momento Mori

   Paige’s fall still has us a little shaken, simply because a second’s difference on our part or that of the drivers, and the timing could have meant the end of everything. 

   Overstimulation and social media might, but living this risky life hasn’t gotten in the way of our happiness or fulfillment. In fact, I think because so many of us don’t live with the fragility of life in such clear view, we struggle to utilize our time wisely in ways we otherwise wouldn’t, straining our relationships with concerns and desires that will never matter on our deathbed. The stoics would tell you to reflect on death regularly to prevent stuff like this (momento mori), but living your life like this is definitely the faster route to making you feel it. 

   I’m so thankful for Paige. For her commitment to this, her strength of mind, and persistence of character. It’s still amazing to me that the first thing out of her mouth after something like this isn’t a conversation about quitting. Instead, she thought to hit the camera to pull the prerecord footage, moments after she went down, before it was lost. Cuz we want the views? Of course, we do. But at the bottom of everything is her understanding that the things we go through have the power to transform the lives of those around us. 

   Look at this woman’s strength of mind to wake up and go back to the road day after day, happy or sad, rain or shine, hot or cold, regardless of all the unspoken, unseen stresses that come with existing like this as the hormonal, ignorant, desirous humans we are. 

I love you, Baby. You are one of a kind.