I’m stuck in the middle seat on this flight from PDX to JFK. The passengers next to me keep sneezing and asking me to hold things for them. Even though we’ll arrive early, it still feels like a long flight. But instead of being grumpy about my seat selection, my heart is really full of gratitude. Something I’m trying to be intentional about naming as often as possible. It seems like an important thing to do these days. Here are the things that I’m thankful for:
- The sneezy, needy passengers next to me are actually my children and unlike the screaming toddler in front of me, they are entertaining themselves with snacks, the PBS Kids games app and the Wikki Stix that came in their Alaska Airlines kids snack pack.
- We’re making our way to New York for a few days of pre-holiday merriment where the girls are old enough to request a few stops (playgrounds, Statue of Liberty and tea at Alice’s Tea Cup). This is the girls’ second trip to NYC and I’m excited to enjoy it with them this time.
- We’re able to travel and continue to explore the US and beyond. This is our second trip this fall having just gotten back from a parents-only trip to Italy just 3 weeks ago. We’re headed to Hawaii over the New Year and I’m continually grateful for the opportunities we have to have these adventures together as a family.
- While we’re heading east, some of our first Singing Suitcase clients are enjoying the magic of Disneyland at Christmas. I loved receiving photos and updates of their family trip yesterday.
- When I first got the nudge to start The Singing Suitcase, it was born from the gratitude that I felt for the trips that we were taking as a family. There are a hundred different ways that I see the impact of travel on the girls every day. We’ve made an intentional choice to be sure that travel is part of how the girls are raised and, so far, we’ve been blown away by how much our travels have shaped them already. That’s really what’s behind all that we do; to help families find the resources, time and sometimes much-needed courage to pack their suitcases and try a trip, even if it seems daunting and overwhelming.
After a few days in the City, we’ll head to Virginia by train to spend Thanksgiving with family. That’s yet another thing to be thankful for. Though we’re just starting out here, I believe there are many lives we can impact through The Singing Suitcase and we are looking forward to many happy travels ahead.
Are you grateful for the opportunity to plan a trip with your family? I’d love to help make it smooth and easy for you – click below:
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