In September, as I approached the ten-year anniversary of becoming widowed just a month before my 36th birthday, I shared the following on my social media:

I woke up to it being September and this brings all sorts of thoughts and emotions?memories and foggy feelings to my soul and so I drove myself to the creek. Parked. Got out. Walked the trail. Walked down the creek. Went in the creek?head under water in and it took my breath away. It?s that cold! So I did it like 5 more times. Froze out that foggy feeling. Cleared my mind so I can keep going and keep writing and keep LIVING.

I hope you find your cold creek too.

Love always, Nik

Dear ones, you can endure anything.

Nature isn't a cure, but it helps lift some of the haze of grief and depression.

Stay. You are loved.

I hope this shirt reminds you on tough days to rise up, dip your toes in the sand, take a walk on a trail, lie on the grass and gaze at the clouds, leap into a cold creek, and remember you?re alive.

Your life matters, and just like the clouds, hard times will pass.