11/19/2025
First of all, thank you to all that have sent their support in many ways. I'm not at a place where I can reply to all the messages and comments but I've read them and they are very meaningful to me.
Many of you know that I've used hiking as my therapy throughout Natalie's diagnosis and treatment. She was always so supportive of me doing so even though I know that it was really hard for her not being physically able to go with me, when we had shared so many wonderful adventures outside.
To give one more incredible example of her unflinching care, she left these "mongoose" rocks for me to find. She wanted me to "leave a part of my grief" each time that I am able to hike my mountains. Mongoose has always been my nickname for her, because of her feisty spirit. She left me one for each month of the first year for when she passed, knowing I could take a piece of her with me.
