My roommate’s father, Jim, passed away a little over a week ago. A memorial service was held on Saturday.

During the service, David said one thing about his dad that really stuck with me. His dad was the kind of guy to tell you to get outside of your comfort zone. To live your life, and live it boldly. Experience what the world has to offer.

Have an adventure.

After the service, I was with Eve and her sister, and we all needed to get away for a while. There is a park near my neighborhood that I only recently learned about, even though I’ve lived in this area on and off for the last 10 years. After the memorial, we went hiking on some back trails and I took a few pictures I thought some of you might like to see.

That’s the first time in a long while I had the opportunity to get outdoors and just enjoy my time away from the pressures of deadlines and commitments and all the other worries waiting for me at home.

If there was one thing that I was reminded of on Saturday, it’s that while it is perfectly natural to grieve for a loss, while you are still here, there is a life worth living. There’s a great, big world outside your front door, waiting to be explored. There is always something more to learn, something more to see or do.

Grieve for those lost, yes, but don’t forget to live your own life.

Jim was right. Life is beautiful. Life is worth living.

Have an adventure.