Life Lessons

Today I'm sharing a personal story from my life. I was living the dream as a bartender at a 5-star, 5-diamond restaurant bar in Aspen, Colorado. The people were amazing, the drinks were flowing, and the skiing was out of this world. But life had other plans.

My father was diagnosed with cancer, and I had to step up to the plate to help my sister with schizoaffective disorder and my mother, a narcissistic, gambling addict. I couldn't abandon my family in their time of need, so I put my dreams on hold and took care of my loved ones.

Fast forward 20 years, and here I am, reflecting on what could have been. I often wonder what my life would be like if I had stayed in Aspen, skiing all day and serving drinks all night. But life happened while I was busy making other plans.

The DUI I got in Oregon, where I moved to take over my family business, was a wake-up call. It was a costly mistake, but it also made me realize that I needed to make some changes. Oregon is a lot more uptight than the party town of Aspen, especially for a bartender. If I had stayed in Aspen, I never would've had that situation occur.

Looking back, I don't regret my decision. Sure, there are moments when I miss the Aspen life, but I know I made the right choice. I've grown up a lot over the years, and I've learned that sometimes, you have to put your dreams on hold to take care of the people you love.

So, here's to the Aspen memories and the lessons learned. Life may not always go according to plan, but it's the unexpected twists and turns that make it interesting. And who knows, maybe one day, I'll find myself back in Aspen, raising a glass to the good old days.

Cheers to life, love, and the pursuit of happiness, wherever it may lead us! 🥂 #LifeLessons #FamilyMatters #AspenForever