Gratitude

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Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have in enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity....It turns problems into gifts, failures into successes, the unexpected into perfect timing and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates vision for tomorrow. .........Melodie Beattie

The events of the last 6 weeks blindsided me and has unravelled in ways I would never imagine. It all started with the words "I am kinda having a commitment issue" and ended up with me getting on a flight to Mumbai with a backpack, a computer, some of Tyler's ashes and a broken heart. Life is strange.

As most you don't and few of you do, I left August 21st on an extended three month trip through India, Maldives and South Africa.

Part 1

I will spend 7 weeks in India. Two and half weeks in the Northern area with a side trip to Kathmandu, Nepal to see Mt Everest, which has always held a fascination for me. No, I will not be hanging out with the guys at base camp and smoking pot. (Combination of Asthma & Altitude might do me in). Then back to just outside Mumbai for a 10 day meditation retreat. Mind ya'll that I have to take a vow of silence and promise to stay the entire time. No books, no journals, no eye contact, no computer, no cell phone, no distractions from the outside world of any kind. That means for a full 10 days I am stuck with nothing but the noggin.....and let me tell you, it isn't real pretty up there right now. I will either rise like a phoenix out of ashes or they wrap me up in a straight jacket. Either way I will be grow and am sure to change in ways I have yet to know. I will end my trip to India traveling for two weeks through the south with stops in Goa, Chennai, Bangalore and a few others that I cannot pronounce much less spell.

Part 2

Honeymoon in the Maldives..... by myself. After all the chaos and limited amounts of personal space, I took the chance to shut down the engine, pull it back to neutral & relax on a beach in my own cottage in the middle of the Indian Ocean. I want to read, reflect, and learn to surf.

Part 3

South Africa here I come. 5 weeks in this magical country. It is in Cape town at the Cape Grace hotel that I will spend my 42 birthday. From there I plan to work for a children's charity, take a safari and travel to Namibia . My plans are yet to be set in stone, but I promise to keep you posted.


I am lucky to be able to travel like this. I was seriously considering a trip around the world before I meet David. It has been condensed and forced upon me in ways that I am unsure of where the journey will lead and who will emerge. Stay tuned.

If you are recieving this email, then you are a very important part of my life and I want to hear from you throughout my travels. I look forward to your emails, pictures of your children, silly gossip, as well as Dawg football scores and everyday stories of your life. I, in turn, am going to keep you posted on where I am, teach your children about far away lands and embrace the people that I love, possibly learning more about you from distant lands than I would with daily contact. Thanks for all you love, support and best of all your friendship.

During my travels my email is [e-mail] and my Skype address is jessicarpowell. I look forward to hearing from you all.

Lots and lots of love!!!!!!

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Photos

Tyler
September 13, 1996 - August 1, 2008

Little did I know.......
30 years later, just none the wiser.

Comments

[Angie]

Hey Jessie! I miss you already but I am so proud of you. You are so far away!!! Take lots of pictures and Kit and I are going to download Skype tomorrow! WE ALL LOVE YO SO MUCH!

[Beth]

You go girl!!!
Be grateful that you have this opportunity, unattached and without responsibilities to experience this journey. I know life hasn't played out exactly the way you expected, but often the unexpected is better than the dream. I look forward to hearing about your experience. Keep yourself open but safe. Beth Baird

[Susanne]

WOW!
Wow Jessica! I am totally jealous! I think what you are doing is amazing and I think you will really learn a lot more than you are expecting! I can't wait to hear all about it! Love, Susanne

[Wendy Schluchter]

Jessie, you've always been an adventurer and traveler. I'll never forget the totally rad haircut you came back from Italy with! So, will you get henna tatoos?? We all can't wait to see and hear from your fabulous adventures!! Love, Wendy, Ronnie and Otto.