This is beautiful, Katie. Congrats on the tri!! You're amazing! While reading your words, For King & Country's song, "Burn the Ships," kept coming to mind.
Katie, congratulations on finishing the goal you set out for!! I know it comes with so much more then the joy of completion, as you beautifully wrote. I just wanted to let you know, we are cheering for you, and praying for you, to keep going. And we celebrate these moments with you. Keep going forward ❤️
Beautiful reflection, Katie. I love the sport of triathlon and it is no easy feat, especially the swim. Congratulations on your accomplishment! I enjoyed reading about your training and healing journey and I especially loved this part of your essay: "But the girl burning the ships today, her goal is peace. She is throwing the flame towards the thing she’s tempted to look back on not out of spite, but so she can stop the tendency to stew over, revisit, or torture herself with unanswerable questions. Burning the ships is simply her reclaiming the space where the pain exists, reminding herself there is nothing back there for her, that moving forward is so remarkably hard and yet, it is the only way. " Sending prayers as you continue to move forward. 💗
Hi! I read your essay this morning while drinking coffee, and then I clicked to your year ago essay about scar tissue.
Thanks for writing it, it’s given me things to think about today as I go about my business of removing the cobwebs form my brain and the homeschool room in the basement.
I especially want to think of the metaphor of the burning ships- can’t go back, stop doing what ifs… can’t go back into an escape
Route when the going gets tough.
I think I leave some side exits open for myself to avoid or make excuses for hard things.
I have 5 kids and a marriage that is inching uphill to 20 years. Almost the 20 year anni of engagement. I feel weary in a way most of your readers can understand, especially as we move from the postpartum coffee and crumbs part of our lives to wondering if our state of wellness is art of perimenopause or the stress of kids with fledging independence happening, like learners’ driving licenses.
Keep going, I’m rooting for you and looking forward to reading more essays.
Your essay reminds me of the saying, "Don't let what is, ruin what was". I'm sure there are many good memories from the past you were blessed with and I hope you can hold those as "good" memories, all while moving forward through what your current season is.
You are so brave and so courageous and my soul is filled UP reading this as I start my day! I’ve got chills and feel that excitement and hope secondhand!! Congrats on the feat of completing your second triathlon and doing so well!!! You’re doing it right and sowing all the hard but beautiful seeds that will continue to reap such a harvest of peace and joy and righteousness… so happy for you. Inspiration for us all!! ❤️
So beautiful, Katie. Thank you for sharing your heart and your words and your journey toward healing. I did a sprint tri back in 2019 and even that was enough for me. The amount of work you've put into the physical challenge of an Olympic tri and the emotional challenge of moving forward is a beautiful sight to behold.
This is beautiful, Katie. Congrats on the tri!! You're amazing! While reading your words, For King & Country's song, "Burn the Ships," kept coming to mind.
"Burn the ships, cut the ties
Send a flare into the night
Say a prayer, turn the tide
Dry your tears and wave goodbye
Step into a new day
We can rise up from the dust and walk away
We can dance upon our heartache, yeah
So light a match, leave the past, burn the ships"
Keep dancing on your heartache, friend.
❤️❤️❤️
Same! Love that song!
I loved this piece so much, Katie. You are so brave, lovely, and honest. Always rooting for you.
Means the world, thank you friend!
Katie, congratulations on finishing the goal you set out for!! I know it comes with so much more then the joy of completion, as you beautifully wrote. I just wanted to let you know, we are cheering for you, and praying for you, to keep going. And we celebrate these moments with you. Keep going forward ❤️
🥹 thank you Meredith!
Beautiful reflection, Katie. I love the sport of triathlon and it is no easy feat, especially the swim. Congratulations on your accomplishment! I enjoyed reading about your training and healing journey and I especially loved this part of your essay: "But the girl burning the ships today, her goal is peace. She is throwing the flame towards the thing she’s tempted to look back on not out of spite, but so she can stop the tendency to stew over, revisit, or torture herself with unanswerable questions. Burning the ships is simply her reclaiming the space where the pain exists, reminding herself there is nothing back there for her, that moving forward is so remarkably hard and yet, it is the only way. " Sending prayers as you continue to move forward. 💗
Xoxoxo!
Hi! I read your essay this morning while drinking coffee, and then I clicked to your year ago essay about scar tissue.
Thanks for writing it, it’s given me things to think about today as I go about my business of removing the cobwebs form my brain and the homeschool room in the basement.
I especially want to think of the metaphor of the burning ships- can’t go back, stop doing what ifs… can’t go back into an escape
Route when the going gets tough.
I think I leave some side exits open for myself to avoid or make excuses for hard things.
I have 5 kids and a marriage that is inching uphill to 20 years. Almost the 20 year anni of engagement. I feel weary in a way most of your readers can understand, especially as we move from the postpartum coffee and crumbs part of our lives to wondering if our state of wellness is art of perimenopause or the stress of kids with fledging independence happening, like learners’ driving licenses.
Keep going, I’m rooting for you and looking forward to reading more essays.
Xoxo
I feel so much of what you’re saying here, Bethany ❤️ big hugs to you, and thank you for the encouragement!!
You truly inspire me Katie!
Your essay reminds me of the saying, "Don't let what is, ruin what was". I'm sure there are many good memories from the past you were blessed with and I hope you can hold those as "good" memories, all while moving forward through what your current season is.
❤️ thank you, Lisa!
“The new storyline is this: I did something challenging, but I was never alone.”
We never really are, are we? Loved this piece Katie! So honest, brave, and beautiful. ❤️
Thank you, friend!
"The mountain hadn’t changed, but I had." love love love love. (and you can count on me for all the rage burning if it's ever necessary!)
❤️🔥
My torch is ready for the next one. Let's go. 🔥🔥🔥
Love you!
You are so brave and so courageous and my soul is filled UP reading this as I start my day! I’ve got chills and feel that excitement and hope secondhand!! Congrats on the feat of completing your second triathlon and doing so well!!! You’re doing it right and sowing all the hard but beautiful seeds that will continue to reap such a harvest of peace and joy and righteousness… so happy for you. Inspiration for us all!! ❤️
So kind, thank you Meagan!
“The mountain hadn’t changed, but I had.” Ahh so inspiring!
❤️
Love this, Katie. Keep chasing that peace!
So much good and hard truths. If you ever come to NZ , do a tri and my hand is up to be your runner. Keep that torch lit.
That would be a dream, wouldn’t it?! 😉
And not completely impossible. Keep it in your back pocket.
So beautiful, Katie. Thank you for sharing your heart and your words and your journey toward healing. I did a sprint tri back in 2019 and even that was enough for me. The amount of work you've put into the physical challenge of an Olympic tri and the emotional challenge of moving forward is a beautiful sight to behold.
Thank you, Sarah!
Beautiful! Big congrats on your race! That is huge 💪
It’s incredible to see you reclaiming your space, Katie. “The mountain hadn’t changed, but I had.” 👏👏👏👏👏👏
❤️ Thank you, Megan!