Reflections

Reflection.  The good, the not so good, the empowering, the humbling.  So much went into the year to make 2023 exactly what it was supposed to be.  Scrolling through my camera roll it’s evident that I document my life through pictures.  As I sat on my couch during the quietness after the fun-filled Holidays with family, contemplating the creation of a Reel to highlight my travel destinations of the past 365 days, memories came flooding back. 

Florida with agency friends, a first visit for my son to New York City, a weekend trip to the beach, a cruise to Bermuda with my loving family, a Virgin cruise with friends to Dominican Republic, a solo trip to Greece. A new significant other, my new Goldendoodle, Finn, a future bucket list cruise to Iceland booked, and rounding out the final month of 2023 by honoring those who served our Country by laying wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery.  

I can speak to each about the memories they elicit.  The opportunity to grow professionally through ups and downs, embracing quality time with friends and family, the addition of important people and fur babies to share my life with, creating memories through travel and the ever important always having the next trip planned so that you have future memories to look forward to. ​

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Two words that 2023 leave me with are two that I want to continue to focus on in 2024.  The first is Empowering.  I try to grow myself personally in some way each year.  Gone are the days where I set out on January 1st resolving to lose 20 pounds or curb my wine intake.  I know better than to set myself up for failure, so I thought moving into 2024 I’d focus on words that have impacted me in some way this past year.

In August, I traveled solo to Greece. I was scared. It was my first time in Europe. I was full of what-ifs. Hesitant and if I'm being honest almost regretting booking the trip.  This from the girl who has lived halfway across the world and traveled solo on countless 18+ hour flights to and from Japan.  I was familiar with Asia, but the unfamiliarity of a new destination alone left me unsettled.  Not knowing what to expect, I boarded my ten-hour flight to Athens. From the time I arrived, I honestly felt at home. From my modern hotel with a view of the ancient Acropolis, I soon realized Greece was a place of culture, friendliness and beauty.  I knew the best was yet to come. 

The following day, I boarded Resilient Lady for the Greek Glow itinerary.  Being my sixth voyage with Virgin, I knew that being a solo Sailor would give me the opportunity to just be me in the moment or embrace the company of others. Every port left me wanting more.  Postcards didn’t do Santorini justice, sunsets are unbelievable in Mykonos, and yachting around the Aegean Sea and buying knock off Rolexes in Turkey with friends I met onboard are memories I won't ever forget.  The best souvenir from this trip however: Empowerment. Ending self-doubt, building confidence, and knowing that I am capable of things that may in the moment seem daunting.   Where is my next solo-cation? (oh, I love that term!) who knows but I do think 2024 is deserving of one!

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Saving the most important for last. Every year since 2016, I have read about Wreaths Across America and every year I say I'm going to volunteer.  Well fast forward seven years, I finally participated in one of the most amazing experiences ever.  Along with thousands of volunteers, laying a wreath at the graves of those who have served our Country far outweighs any vacation I have ever taken.  The 16,000 steps walked that day were the most humbling and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself is something that I will take advantage of each year from here on out. 

The importance of remembering, honoring, and educating is the mission behind Wreaths Across America. They have already started their journey for 2024.  As of this blog, there have been 1905 wreaths sponsored for Arlington National Cemetery and 257,095 to go!  My journey of humbleness will continue in 2024. 

For all of those who allow me to assist in planning their vacation in 2024, I will donate a few dollars per reservation to purchase wreaths to honor those who have served our Country.  I can’t think of a better resolution.  Can you?

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