Dear sis,

Every time I say, “Back to Life, back to reality, I sing…”back to the hear and now yeah….however do you want me…:)”.  I know you would too.  That is one thing you always loved.   Singing.  Especially when driving 🙂  You would sing to the top of your lungs.  Not knowing all the words, but you didn’t care.  And when we sang together, if we didn’t know the words, we would simply make them up 🙂

I am now home.   What a journey.  I always return  from “travel” experiences,  with lots of deep emotions.    I saw and experienced so much but for me,  it was the people who touched my heart.

One day,  I will blog about my trip.     It was perfect and exactly what I needed at this time.   However this blog is about my post holiday feelings.   I am so “full” right now with so much love.  New experiences will do that to you.

On the first leg of my trip – a 14 hour flight to New York –  I sat next to such a wonderful young lady.   She was 24 years old, Arab and Persian mix.  She was on route to Boston where she is doing her doctorate degree.   As soon as I sat down, we connected.  Within 20 minutes we were ordering a glass of wine.  I instantly liked her 🙂

Four years ago, she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.  Cancer.  She was given two months to live.   Her parents lived in Dubai and for many reasons she resisted sharing this news with them.    She was concerned with how sad and devastated they would be.   When she did tell them,  the three of them travelled to China, to take part in a one week trial study.  Laser in her brain, attacking the cancer cells.  On day three,  a decision was made to stop the treatment because it was a going to affect her vision and I believe speech.

As we spent time sharing personal stories, she said to me, “You know, I have been on several airplanes over the years.  No one ever talks to me.”

In that moment,  I thought to myself, “How fortunate am I, that I am capturing these moments.  Connecting with individuals whom I always learn something from.   It is moments like those, that give me full on perspective in life.”

Moments that remind me to move a little slower.   Less stress.  Less worry.  Be more mindful.   Trust me, I know this is easier to say, than actually do.   I am still working on it.

Yesterday morning, I arrived into Vancouver at midnight.    I did not leave the airport till 2am.   Both of my bags did not arrive.   Still no trace of them.

Today, early morning 3am, the airport called to inform me they were not on the late night flight from JFK.    He then informed me that I could shop for items that are needed and that I will be reimbursed $100.   When he confirmed with me it was $100 total (and not per day) my response – in a kind but tired tone – was, “Sedwick, my moisturizer cream  is $120.00.   We need to find my bags.” He agreed 🙂

I woke in the morning,  took a shower – and thought, “Oh no deodorant.”  Later that morning, as I left the house, I went to put on my Ray Bans.  “Oh they are “in the bag.” I then went to use my MAC laptop and it was dead.  So I had to go out and buy and new charger – $117.59 – as the “old” charger, is “in the bag”.

So Cathay Pacific , this $100 “total” credit policy you have implemented,  does not work for me.  I haven’t even bought underwear.

The airline losing my bags, is completely out of my control.   Yes of course it is an inconvenience but there is nothing I can do. I would rather focus on what has made me feel good over the last 48 hours.

Yesterday, I decided to spend the day on the mainland pre catching the late ferry.  My friend Kerri and I went for a beautiful walk near Deep Cove.   Afterwards, she and I bought some phenomenal soup from The Soup Meister, Lonsdale Quay.   We then walked down to her stationed sailboat, ate some soup and had a glass of wine.    It was such a simple day, but for me, those are the best.

I arrived back on the Island at 10pm and I raced over to Kel’s to give Jenna a hug and kiss goodnight.   When I picked her up at school today, I couldn’t stop looking at her and smiling.  She was so full of life.  So happy.

Pre me dropping her off at dance, she and I went on a walk together.   She could not stop talking about all her dreams for the future, how things are going with some friends at school, updating me on what she has been baking in food class ect ect ect.     But what I really loved listening to, was her imagination.   She wants to own a vet clinic, but wants to specialize in taking care of only dogs.  She doesn’t want to mix. up animals.  She wants it to be a safe and happy place for dogs only.

The clinic would have chairs in the waiting room for the humans and dogs.   They would all live out back, in a circle,  in their own private little home.   In the centre there would be a swimming pool – the shape of a biscuit – where all the dogs could hang out.    She wants to manage the clinic and have 3 other vets working for her.  She would have her own dog who would go to work with her.  She said she has been looking on Pinterest for some design ideas.

The imagination and goals of a 13 year old.  I love it.  Another great day 🙂

As I move forward with the reality of being “home”, I am finding myself,  wanting to be quiet.  I have nowhere to be right now, nothing urgent or pressing.  I am simply going to try to embrace each day with something new.  Something that fuels my heart and soul.

See you soon sis….

I love you,

Kathy xo

ps.  It was so nice this evening when Lu texted today saying she was visiting you.  I love calling when she is there.  She is always so positive.   As you know when I called you, I was with Jenna.    I told her that Lu has been a friend of yours since you have been 15ish ?  On the phone, when Lu said, “I am just plucking the hairs off her chin.” ….I said to Jenna how important it is to always have those girlfriends who will pluck your hairs.  I even had a girlfriend who liked to pop my blackheads.  Yuck right, who does that ??  Girls do lol  She laughed but most likely did not really get it.

pps.  Oh on the plane ride home I watched a movie.  It was called “Bucket list”.  As you know, I have no idea what movies, Netflix, TV shows are out there today.   BUT when I saw the characters – Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman, I had to watch it”.

There was a line in that movie that I loved.

“I will die with my eyes closed and an open heart.”

Nite nite sis xo