NORTON

When we nd ourselves reminiscing, we sometimes drift o into the daydreams of happy times and incredible memories. at day we rst held hands, that rst kiss, our rst football championship, our rst beer together, and so many other rsts. Or we go down memory lane, reminded not just of our “ rsts” in life, but of many years of shared hardships, hurts, disappointments, wins and celebrations. Reminiscing brings back joyful moments of those we have lived our lives with and through, and just how special each moment was to us during those seasons of life. Do you have any of those memories? I sure do.

While reminiscing brings fond memories of years gone by, we sometimes visit that other side of our memories as we lament the missed opportunities in life, lost chances of love, and the mistakes we may have made along the way. We don’t often hear the word “lament” anymore. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary de nes “lament” as, to express sorrow, mourning, or regret often demonstratively, or, to regret strongly, or, to cry out in grief. ose are some very strong words that should emote some very deep feelings.

When given the choice, most of us would probably prefer to reminisce about the good old days, right? We can laugh with one another, embrace one another, and choose to only remember the best times of our lives. ere is nothing wrong with that and as a matter of fact I highly recommend it. ere is no greater cure for the blues than spending time with a family member or friend stirring up our greatest and most memorable escapades of our past.

drains — and any pesticides, car oils and fertilizers that go down them — run to the river.

During their presentation, they said they would sell stickers at their school to raise awareness and money for the storm drain painting supplies.

“Hats o to you and your class and your school for tackling some of these kinds of larger issues and how you can bring the global back here to home,” said District 3 Councilmember Stephen Barr. “Stormwater challenges are a concern to all of us here on council.”

City sta from the public works department granted permissions for the students to complete the project.

On May 22, while the rest of their classmates were resting up after a week-long eld trip, the group painted about 30 storm inlets in the neighborhood west of their school, city engineer Anthony Young wrote in an email to Colorado Commu- e daughter who lost her mom before her wedding day laments that she couldn’t experience that special occasion with her mom. e same daughter reminisces each holiday about how special her mom made each and every holiday, bringing both tears of sorrow and tears of joy to her face. Do you see how they can both exist in the same moment? nity Media.

Yet there is also something to be said of lamenting our past, our sorrows, our griefs, and the challenges we have faced in all our years here on earth. e struggles have been real, the hurts have been devastating, the challenges have brought us to tears, and the disappointments many and plentiful. Why would I say that there is something to be said about lamenting our past? Because sometimes even the pain brings back memories of something once cherished. Because sometimes it’s healthy to lament, and feel the pain so that we can maybe nally let it go. And sometimes, it’s OK to never let go of something or someone we cherished so deeply, that is now lost, because it keeps us connected forever.

How about you? Do you love and appreciate the moments where you get to reminisce about the best, happiest, and craziest times of life with your family and friends? Do you also lament those moments in life where you wish things could’ve been di erent? I would love to hear your story at gotonorton@gmail. com, and when we can remember all of the sweet, bitter and bittersweet moments of life that shape who we are, it really will be a better than good life.

Michael Norton is an author, a personal and professional coach, consultant, trainer, encourager and motivator of individuals and businesses, working with organizations and associations across multiple industries.

“(It’s) really great to see local kids interested in stormwater quality!” he wrote.

Beyond a competition e students’s presentation to city council and completion of the project took place after they found out in March that they did not win the global competition.

Joe Pausback, a seventh-grade math and science teacher at Mackintosh, said he was proud of how the students embraced the process for more than just a prize.

“Doing the action … I think collectively, to all of you, became more important than the actual validation of winning or being top three,” he said to the students. “Which, to me, is such a testament to being committed to your principles. And it’s something I really admire.” e students said they learned a lot and overcame challenges to nish the project. For Greenwood Village resident Leatherman, her favorite part of the project was also the scariest.

“My favorite part was probably going to the Littleton city council meeting,” she said. “We were all pretty nervous, I think, and then realizing that it wasn’t as bad as we expected and doing pretty well. And then … nally executing our project with the actual painting of the storm drains.” e students said they hope the project brings more awareness to Littleton residents about how they can protect the South Platte. ey also hope it inspires future students to dream big for the competition and to solve problems they see in their communities.

“It shows them this kind of stu is possible and that if they want to solve a problem, they can and should go for it,” Rodina, from the Columbine area, said. “You can do that kind of awesome stu .”