Today, I am painfully reminded of how fragile life is and how time flies. Forgive me, I have neglected sharing our new normal. Alas, I have been busy living—vibrantly and victoriously, most days. I still struggle, and I still need to fight the good fight, and with God on my side, who can be against me? And that is not a glib statement because with God on our side, it does not mean our hearts won't break. We stumble, we struggle and fall, and even the good die young.

What it does mean is... call your friends, respond to texts, share your love, share your kindness, be generous and be the body of Christ. I have had my own personal Ragnar relay, my team that runs with me. Whether you pick me up and drive me from DC to Annapolis, or drive hours for the day just to say hello, or take the ferry from Lewes to Cape May to spend more time together, or take 15 minutes to shuttle me to and from Siskin, and the hundreds of Sparc volunteers that make sure I am strong and safe. I am grateful. I am grateful for the conversations in passing, or the two, hour-long conversations with an old friend just before he suddenly passed away, seeing friends face-to-face on a Thursday evening in Chicago, or a zoom call studying the Bible and praying every week. These are moments that matter—the moments that mean I am living.

I know Steve posts when I get to waterski or ride, or kayak, and all of these adventures are reminders I am getting busy living.

Balancing the two is crucial. I need to push my body to be strong. I also need to push myself to slow the #*% way down, so I have more slow moments to share every day with so many of you... like celebrating Thanksgiving with friends, and the anticipation of an upcoming wedding, our anniversary, and Christmas with family.

I am grateful for this long season of living large, bucket lists, and adventures, but mostly, I am thankful for the flood of prayers that help bolster me up and keep me strong in my walk, encouraging me to lean in and be interdependent, because you and me—we need one another. It says so in the Bible, and it says so in my heart.

Love and blessings, Victoria