Courage

I still chuckle thinking about my pre-smartphone days, navigating to Portland for acting gigs with nothing but handwritten directions and a prayer.

My downfall? I'm atrocious with directions. So, before each trip, I'd meticulously print out instructions, scribbling down every turn in my trusty notebook.

My routine was pretty dang predictable: drive to Portland, audition or attend a workshop, and then hurry back to Coos Bay. With a call time looming, I couldn't afford to get lost or delayed. Didn't have the time or money to mess around.

There were times I had to get... creative with my bathroom breaks, let's just say. An empty drink cup became my unlikely friend on more than one occasion.

But it wasn't just about me. I had two little ones back home, watching my every move. And I knew that the sacrifices I made, the long drives, the early mornings, and the late nights, were all worth it if it meant they could see me chasing my dreams.

I wanted them to learn that no matter how impossible something seems, you never give up. And I wanted them to know that I didn't give up on my dreams for them - I found a way to make them work together.

Looking back, I'm grateful for those crazy days. I may not have had it all together, but I had something far more valuable – the courage to keep going, no matter what. And I hope that's a lesson my kids (now 16 and 21) will carry with them for the rest of their lives.