The Week Before

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So, it is the official one week countdown to my departure for Rarotonga. My one measly suitcase is mostly packed.... I am told by my friend Gaz that I have already packed too much. But that's ok.

The preceding weeks have been filled with visits and time spent with family and friends, and of course the standard doctor and dentist visits that I am so bad about keeping. Spliting my time between New York and Michigan for the last 3 years has made me somewhat lapse on my personal care. I brush my teeth and floss everyday, have no pain and take no medications, so these "routine" visits tend to fall by the wayside when I actually am home for more important ventures like keeping up my relationships with area bartenders.

This being the Christmas season and all, it is very nice to be home, spending time with my parents whom I rarely see these days. Even living 35 minutes away while at school I only ever saw them occasionally. I won't lie and say they haven't driven me crazy, but that's to be expected when you are 23 years old and haven't spent 5 consecutive weeks at home in 4 years. Hell, in that time I have spent a total of 1 1/2 years 750 miles away. So as to be expected.... being home has been fun, and challenging. But my relationship with the two fantastic people who gave me life is the most important thing in my entire World. They are more than just parents, they are my best friends. They encourage me to dream big and remind me to keep my head on straight. Their love, advice and encouragement means everything to me and without them, I would most certainly be nothing. They are perfect in every way, and I am a terrible daughter for not telling them enough how much they mean to me. I LOVE YOU!!!

This time of the year however, always brings to the forefront the importance of family. I am profoundly lucky to have one that is so relentlessly supportive of all my endeavors. This includes my extended family on both sides. Their encouragement over the years has been pivotal to my abilty to have had the adventures I experienced and is crucial to this upcoming one as well. I have often been told by people that they admire my bravery as I set out to see the World, and I always have the same reply: I am brave and willing only because I know I have the support of my family no matter what. I know irrefutably that were I to call any one of them, Aunt, Uncle or Cousin, at any time day or night, from any remote place on Earth, and were I to tell them "I need YOU, here. NOW." The answer would always be "I am packing my bag." That is what makes one fearless I believe. So really, as I look forward to setting off on my big trip, I look back at the support I have and smile. To my family: you are ALL cherished.

Everyone says you can't choose your family and luckily I am happy with the one I got. Friends on the other hand are all your own doing and mine are quite possibly the best around. Time and distance have often separated me from my best friends, but their love and support have been amazingly strong as well. They are my cheerleaders in all my endeavors. They push me, they encourage me, they call my bluff when I am full of shit. And this too makes me strong. It would be silly to try and put into words all the ways my good friends have been there for me throughout the years, but each of you know the role you have played in my life and I thank you for everything. Every memory, every laugh and defintely every tear has brought us closer and together we have changed eachother's lives. You also are loved and cherished and you really ought to know that I am sorry for not saying it enough! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers and to all my friends around the World, I sincerely hope our paths cross again!

Now, the harsh reality is it is 20 degrees Farenheit in Michigan right now, and I am counting down the days to Christmas like an 8 year old child again. Not because I can't wait to make confetti out of the wrapping paper surrounding my presents under the tree, but because I will be on a plane on my way to 80 degree days filled with beaches, sun and sand. Am I thankful for a white Christmas? You bet! Am I secretly willing the clock to tick just a BIT faster..... you'd be stupid to think not.

So, my friends and my family..... the one week mark has been breached. I hope you will enjoy my future entries and I hope you will keep up with my inevitable shennanigans throughout the coming months. Take care, and wish me luck!!

C

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Comments

[Willis]

Thank you ...Love you