Water Matters. My friend texted me this today, explaining how she worked herself out of a mood. Water matters, literally.

Recently, I hiked Flat Top, a climb of almost 3,000 ft starting around 9,000 ft above sea level. The sun receded once we were above the tree line, the clouds came forth, and the Rocky Mountains waved us hello. My fingers froze. Before I gave in to my second bottle of water, I felt the wind whip around my head, the pressure in my ears, and my stomach's attempts to purge. I thought, damnnit, water does matter.

But back to my friend's text. In it, she described how drinking water, along with meeting someone with a face reminiscent of home, meditation and prayer restored her. I love that through the grit of every day we can find water for our souls -- be it to further the healing of a broken heart, connect with what gives us strength, or to feel a little less alone.

Growing up, I felt at home when I was not at home, when I was new, and a foreigner. I fell in love with cultures, countries and peoples. In my teens, my favorite pillow was home -- in my twenties, I gazed the night sky, where the big dipper welcomed me home.

Still today, I vacillate between a never-ceasing restlessness and hoping to find home. a tribe. a family. As my 30th birthday approaches, I'm at peace with this struggle, and grateful. Grateful that even in immense loss, there is still grace to continue each new day, and joy to be found in the simple things.

So, for my 30th birthday, I've decided to celebrate my wanderlust, my hopes of a beloved community, and my dreams for a just and generous world by joining in with charity: water's 3rd born-in-september efforts.

Why? Because I still dream about changing the world, life by life, starting with my own.

And because I would love to start my fourth decade by bringing together the many amazing people I know, both old and new, friends and acquaintances, to stand with a faraway community (but no-longer-so-distant, and definitely google-earthable!) and celebrate the simple joy of clean water and the beauty of collective action, locally, nationally and globally.

Would you consider celebrating my birthday by joining me in this? I'd love to raise $5000, the cost of one clean water well for a community of 250 people.

And of course, WATER-themed party to come when we reach our goal!