A Trip

Growing up with flight benefits (there was a day when working for United had great perks...for family members as well...) I learned early on the glories of air-travel. To destinations near and far. Perhaps it was in those formative years as a young girl on family trips that my love of traveling sparked into something that will be a pivotal part of my life for the rest of it.

In a recent conversation with new friend he asked, "What recharges Katy?" I paused but for a moment to respond with one word: "Traveling."

Ever since I was six years old I have memories of getting on airplanes and riding to destinations I didn't know existed only to be surprised by the waiting wonders I found. In my younger days some of the best discoveries were The Golden Gate Bridge, The Hearst Castle, The Smithsonian Museum, and of course the pool at Grandma & Papa's place in Arizona. When I aged enough to begin traveling Europe I was amazed by the countryside in England and awed by the cityscape of London. I believe that trip was in 1994. I visited the Dominican Republic in 1998. One never really gets past their first visit to a third world country. Some very difficult images remain frozen in my mind from that trip; it is unparalleled by any other trip I have ever taken. In 2000 I ventured on a three week tour of seven cities that began in Cambridge, England and concluded in Munich, Germany. My travels in Europe then allowed me passage to the Sistine Chapel, the Coliseum, Mozart's home town, and several other "less impressive" destinations. My post-graduation trip took my best friend and me up to Toronto, Canada for a week and a half over new years 2003. Toronto is a surprising city. All's to say there is Mama Mia! This year I was blessed to be able to explore the tropics of Costa Rica. As with all my trips, Costa Rica holds a special place in my history. It was a stretching and changing time and one I will always look back on fondly.

I've been in bit of a need of a recharge lately. Or so says the friend I was speaking with last week. After time spent considering his words I agree. He had encouraged me last week to plan a trip. And I'd like to report that, rather unintentionally, I have fulfilled his assignment. While it maybe not what I had in mind and is no where near as spectacular as the ones mentioned above, in a couple weeks, I'm planning a day trip with a friend to Wisconsin. For traveling is what recharges me. And it is going to be a necessary part of maintaining mental and physical health on the journey that God has chosen for me.

I would just pause a moment to thank God for designing me this way. Because as I've been processing all of this I think it is going to be a pretty neat deal!