It was my first “grown
up” two-week vacation, and I was staying with my very best friend. In London. It
was the first time my travel required a passport! My flight was scheduled for
Sept 12, 2001, and for obvious reasons, my whole itinerary was pushed back two
weeks. But I did go, and I wouldn’t trade that trip for anything. It was the
first time I’d seen my sister-friend in a few years, and we made the most it.
Proper English tea. A weekend in Paris. Cheese and wine in a French museum
followed by the most amazing Monet. The first time I’ve been moved to tears by
art. A beyond-words lovely day in Bath (no small thing for a Jane Austen fan). We
had SUCH an adventure. So many new experiences. So much time together, celebrating
the moment and imprinting the memories.
~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~
For several
summers, I've been part of my friend's hot air balloon crew. This year, he
started teaching me to fly. No one in this season of my life knows I've
wanted to fly since I was 6 years old. Growing up, I dreamed of being a Navy
pilot. I wanted so badly to fly aircraft off carriers. My junior year of high
school, I started gathering the requisite recommendations for Annapolis. That
summer, several family circumstances shifted, and I readjusted my
college/career plans. These many years later, to be learning to fly ... I’m not
sure there are words.
~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~>~<~
I'm certain Andrea
didn’t know why that holiday and hot
air balloons are so meaningful to me when she picked out a seemingly innocent
Christmas present. It's really not important. What matters is she listens
between the words found a gift with meaning across several seasons of my life. She
must have bribed the keeper of my sentimental bits. In any case, I couldn't
have picked anything more perfect.
My heart is
full.
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