Wanderlust

Seven years ago today I woke up (hungover with a freshly broken phone), and discovered the news that you had passed away. We made a lot of plans together, and shared memories that even today I look back on and am left grinning from ear to ear. It’s crazy to me how much I’ve done and how much I’ve seen since the day of your passing. What I wouldn’t give up to have been able to share even a fraction of those moments in time with you, just to hear your laugh, or hear your shit talk. I’ve never had a best friend since that has loved me as much as you loved me, that would want to fight me every time we got drunk together. We were fire and ice in personality type, but where we came together blossomed and encapsulated a friendship that has shaped my life in every idiosyncratic way imaginable. I awaken every day with a profound sense of purpose and duty to myself to make sure I push myself to new heights and to explore this life to the fullest. I’ve been repairing your Kawasaki and getting it ready for the springtime so we can finally take that long overdue ride together. Thank you for being the man you were. I miss you legitimately every day since you left. Rest In Peace, brother. ♥️ (at State College, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bue8_hUgWI7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mqw3p139ry9k

For as far back as I can remember, Uncle Jesse (pictures right) was the best friend of my dad’s that shared the utmost wild and crazy adventures and life stories with him. When I first pierced my left ear at 12 (because my mom said I was too much of a crybaby to go through with it and dared me to do it), my Uncle Jesse would come up to me anytime he was around and pretend to try to get ahold of it so he could rip it out. He was such a big and burly dude, and his sense of humor and sense of love for those closest to him, filled that massive frame up to the brim. As I make this final drive to help lay him to rest, I’ve been inspired to take stock of all of the genuine and rare lifelong friendships I’ve been blessed with in my life. It’s easy to lose track of those closest to you over a long enough span of time, especially as we all navigate our own courses in life. If you and I have ever shared a positive moment that has impacted us both to great and undeniable depths, and we aren’t in touch as much as we once used to be, just know that you cycle through my thoughts often when I reflect on the course of my life and where it has taken me, which in and of itself is often. If we haven’t spoken to each other in many moons or months or years even, just know that I wish for your happiness and fulfillment every day. My Uncle Jesse’s life was one well lived, filled with many laughs, and many great adventures and achievements, but more than anything else, it was filled with love. Rest In Power, Uncle Jesse, and thank you for being my dad’s best friend and rock in life, since you yourselves were small children. You’ll rest easier knowing that I’ve long since removed all of my facial piercings, I’m sure of it. Until the next life. ♥️ (at Saxton, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bue6otPgrga/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nyfkpadljdtz

There’s an art to letting go. 📷@julieufema (at Evolution Arts Center)

To my beautiful, tenacious, and fierce sister AriElle, I wish you the most bountiful life ahead in your marriage to Chris. In our family, you know we are no strangers to being dealt difficult cards, situations, and realizations - which I suppose can be life itself summed up. I love, value, and cherish the fact that when we need guidance in life, that we’ve never been afraid to reach out to one another. I find that to be true with all of us siblings, truthfully. I think perhaps above all, I am left in awe of all our resilience as individuals — but the uniqueness to your intrinsically maternal-nature has always reinforced the importance of not just loving each other, but caring after one another. A trait that at the very least is a manifestation of the byproduct of having our father as a dad — one that shines through with your presence. I love you endlessly and emphatically, and I pray daily that the renaissance of our ever changing lives guides us toward prosperity. You looked like an absolute babe on your wedding day and Chris and his family and friends are a welcomed addition to our madness. May we do great things together. (at Chesterfield, Virginia)

Hey, if my T-shirt’s are fair game, so are her robes. @adibrog #victoriassecret #girlswithtattoos #maybehesbornwithit #waitwhat (at Clarence Center, New York)

“No such thing as spare time, no such thing as free time, no such thing as down time. All you got is life time. Go.” #henryrollins