​Weathering the Storm with the WP#145

When I returned last week to New England, the 15th to be exact, the colors of fall were still amazing, especially as I flew into Logan Airport in Boston. Now, almost a week later, I have not been out much, but the temperatures have dropped around freezing here along the Atlantic coast and the colors are fading. It is the 3rd week of November, not unexpected, however. I settled in for a week of catch up after being in Europe once more, with my precious few days with Rosa in Albania and Italy and now, I must wait until February to see her in person again because of the EU rules. I have read up on this and there are loopholes, but I am not going to take a chance right now and ruin the opportunity to be with her again in Europe, in the long-term next year.

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For now, and this past week, it has been a matter of preparing client’s trips, and my next venture overseas, to another country new to my list, which stands at 80 after Albania, and that is Botswana, so not even getting over jetlag, really, here in New Hampshire, I am off again, this time to the continent of Africa, for about 2 weeks for a trade show and safari, to open up more options to consider for travel in the future for my valued clients and excited to share that experience going forward. In the meantime, and due to my very long flight schedule, will be in the same time zone as Rosa, when I have an enormous layover in Paris of some 10 hours, so at least I can have my time with her then. Honestly, I am very excited about this opportunity, but not looking forward to some 30 + hours of travel time each way. And, the people who arranged this, have me in economy all the way. It will certainly be a test.  I was never good at sleeping on planes, and it has been a while since I flew economy on a long-haul flight. Also, it has been since 2017, so returning after so many years will be an amazing experience. ​

As this is the week of Thanksgiving, and I will be flying on that day, I have been doing a lot reflecting over the past year and what has happened and what soon will be happening. It has been almost 4 years since I met Rosa and I can only tell you that my life has changed for the better in so many ways. I know you know this as I have shared my journey over the years when I started this blog and even before this, simply posting on Facebook, mostly and some other social media, both as self – help getting through rough times and also hoping, that perhaps, my words (not necessarily of wisdom), but maybe have helped others who have been through similar situations in their lives. We all share common experiences, even with all the differences in the world and in this country. We are all human beings, and all have our frailties. If even one person reads my musings and it helps them, and even if I don’t know it, it makes me happy. ​

This happened just last week with a client, and I won’t provide names, but when I told my story about my relationship with Kenn, she, while also looking for my assistance for a trip, thanked me for what I wrote as she had just gone through similar experiences. We are going to go through life’s challenges, and we are all going to handle them differently, but if we focus on the good things and not the negative things, then perhaps, we as a species have a chance. No one’s perfect and no one is always happy, but I have learned to live my life, now, with more optimism and hope. I have said many times that I only do things that make me happy and if I can avoid the bad stuff as much as possible, I will be able to do that. Yes, we must pay bills, and taxes and clean and all those mundane things that life throws at us. I have decided that looking at things half full, even on my worst days is the best way to handle it. So, while, I went through a death of a family member and I am not looking forward to 31 hours of travel time in airports and economy, I have amazing life experiences to look forward to and may experiences recently, have been cathartic and yes, I miss Kenn, but I know he is with me and Rosa as we move forward. ​

I am not sure what this blog was to be about today, but as it is Thanksgiving week, and even though I will be flying on that day. Who knows, maybe the SkyClub or Air France lounge at JFK Terminal 4 will have turkey or something to eat that might be Thanksgiving oriented, but if not, it is not a big deal. There are more important things in life, and I am so thankful for the love I have experienced with Rosa these past few years and into the future. I am thankful for my health and my ability to travel and arrange travel for all my valued clients over the years. To think that I started my business in 2007 and still here after all the craziness of the world, who would have thought, but I don’t ever give up, even when I am down. I simply pick myself up, sometimes slower than other times, with age does not have its privileges all the time, I am still here, stronger than ever and not slowing down anytime soon. What are you thankful for on this most American of holidays? As always, I look forward to your comments, questions, concerns and continuing the discourse through whichever means you read my posts and Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate with their family and friends later this week!!!