Tales of Travel Gratitude - My Thankful Journey

I can't believe it's been a whole two months since my last blog post! After over a year of clockwork weekly updates, I've been MIA – and I can't blame it on my age! Life simply picked up pace and took an unexpected detour.
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My sincerest thanks for your patience during my hiatus. In this errant interval, my son's team clinched a silver medal at the Georgia State Special Olympic Softball games, and our family embarked on a magical expedition to Universal Studios, marking our youngest granddaughters' entrée into the whimsical universe of Harry Potter.

The pace of these past few months has gifted me with hindsight - to treasure the small yet significant moments. Witnessing my son's teammates rally each other, exhibit empathy when faced with a harsh call for their opponent, and channel an indomitable spirit despite a hard-earned defeat in the finale showed me the incredible young men they're evolving into. Their special needs didn’t outshine their special spirits - they reminded us grown-ups how things should be done!

The wholesome joy in my 8-year-old granddaughter's eyes as she 'cast' her first spell, "out-magicking" her older sister was a sight to behold. The ensuing protectiveness over her wand, as if guarding a treasure, and the endless wonderment she displayed at every sight was invaluable.

My 10-year-old granddaughter, a voracious reader, walked through the corridors of Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley in awe and surpassed even her own imagination. She found the nuances that the movies missed and the books harbored, and it was an enchanting moment I hold dear.

These are memories I'll cherish always. As I age, and my vision becomes hazier, such experiences gain more depth and color. They're reminders of the brilliance of life and our world, gifts that should never be taken for granted. These golden moments, the essence of our travels, outweigh any souvenir. Traveling is, after all, about cherishing the unique nuances that bind and distinguish us, not just a hunt for the best souvenir.

You're probably wondering, "How do I go about it?" The secret lies in nurturing a habit of gratitude. Some take to journaling, others seek out and savor the moments that make us human and celebrate our unique differences.  After all, isn't that the essence of why we travelt? To explore the unfamiliar, to appreciate varying cultures, and to uncover the beautiful paradox of how our diverse natures bring us closer together?
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As we gear up for the holiday season, I extend a heartfelt 'Thank You' to my clients, family, and friends who've unwaveringly stood by me! On the horizon, we have a rare journey to Dollywood – a trip 9 years in the making – and I can’t wait to see the changes it holds for our evolving family. Looking into next year, the goal is to try to cruise more and continue our journey of discovery. I invite you all to tag along for the spectacle! And feel free to chime in with your suggested destinations for our next expedition!