Ode to an old hat and New hat

In the Summer of 2001 my world shifted, actually the day was May 5th. I remember that day vividly still, but I think anyone would remember if they had a day like that in their life. Around that same time I went back to lifeguarding and needed a new hat to go with the new job and new view on life. I remember the shoping trip in Atlanta where I picked up what would become my hat for traveling, working and fun for the next seven years. I remember my then girlfriend telling me how great of a hat it was. The hat and everything about that time matched... Life is Good it said. Life was good. I was doing what I loved, I was happy with how things were going in my life, I really didn't think anything could go wrong. Around Christmas that year things weren't going so well there were problems with the relationship, there were problems at home, problems with school. But I was determined to make things work. So I got the then friend (no longer Girlfriend) the hat she wanted that was as close to mine as they still made. Little did I know that that New Years trip would implode as bad as it did. Life wasn't good for a while. I didn't know how to deal but I did. I kept thinking life would be good. Things would look up and eventually they did again.
The hat was there through it all my recovery in my heart and my experimenting that lead me to push myself again. I not only stage managed the Vagina Monologues, but made myself get over my fear of being on stage and was in them. The hat was along for the ride as I rigged and programed lighting cues, as I dealt with missing props, torn seams on leather pants, found feather boas, and fought with myself to make sure I wouldn't close my heart.
I had my hat with me when one of the directors and her child and myself drove to Columbia, SC to go see Jennifer Nettles, and Danielle Howle play. Little did I know that a new chapter in my life was being planned that day. That I would meet some of the people who would play a major part in the next chapter of my life, that day.
I spent three summers life guarding wearing that hat, then it moved to Atlanta with me. It also traveled where ever I went, scuba diving, hiking, road trips, outdoor concerts, screen on the green, festivals. It was there for all of it. It will be going to Korea with me... however, it's begun to show it's age, frayed edges, sweat stains, spots where the can of black spray paint exploded on me. It's time to retire it a bit.
Friday while I was out buying a new pair of sneakers (since my feet are so huge that I wouldn't be able to buy shoes in Korea). I found a new Life is Good hat. This one says Half Full. That fits me better now. It also fit me perfectly the first time I put it on... no break in time required. It's time for a new section in the book of my life. So maybe it's time for a new old faithful hat. I'm looking at things optimistically now. It wouldn't be all good but it's always got some good in it. I'm going to go do what I love while getting paid for it. I'm going to go see the world and experience new things. While I may be putting off something else that is good that has come into my life recently. It's worth it. I feel that things are going to work out how they are supposed to this time. I know and I trust what is happening. I may be leaving in a week, but it's all good. To find someone who I can tell cares about me enough to know that I have to go and yet has figured out a way to be honest with me about how she feels is truly a gift. I also feel very blessed to have her in my life in whatever form it takes. I know I'm lucky.