Iâm pretty sure it hasnât hit me yet.Â
Luckily I have about 15 hours ahead of me between the two flights and a layover, and so it may begin to at some point in there!
Itâs been a whirlwind the last little while to say the least. Many a tear shed, plenty of laughs shared, and lots of special memories both relived and created.Â
We had a beautiful tribute for my stepmother and our dear Eveline in her familyâs quaint home town in northern Germany, and now she is in her final resting place.Â
And may she rest in peace.Â
Iâve wanted to be in the moment, feeling all the feels, and so the fact Iâm about to embark on what Iâm pretty sure is going to be an epic experience of a lifetime hasnât quite sunk in yet.Â
Itâs been in the works for well over a year. And conversations with my partners in crime for even longer than that.Â
Women Living Big and UGO Travel For Change have joined forces, and 12 brave souls will all be arriving in Arusha, Tanzania over the next 24 hours where weâll all finally meet in person as a group for the first time.Â
Weâve been on the journey for the past few months together⊠meeting over zoom calls sharing dreams and fears and lots in between, exchanging equipment lists and packing woes and pictures of ‘she wees,’ and getting to know one another through hilarious whatâs app conversations and way too many bitmojis!
Weâre going to be volunteering with the Dare Womenâs Association for a week, getting down and dirty and building a fence, and then we will make our way to Mt. Kilimanjaro, attempting to reach the summit.Â
Kinda crazy if I think about it.Â
Kinda crazy to think about all that has transpired over the last few weeks.Â
Welcoming a new baby into the family, having to say goodbye to another member of the family, and a whole lotta miles being flown the process.
And so if Iâm honest, no, I havenât quite processed it all yet.
But then again, when life is happening so fast all around you, do you ever actually process in the moment?
Well, perhaps not. but Iâm taking a small moment now to begin to think and reflect.Â
Without getting too philosophical, what is it all about in the end anyhow?
Well, Iâve realised I couldnât have gone through what I just did without so many special people in my life. Having my friends and family around for support and to experience it together has meant everything. And sharing special moments, both laughs and tears. And talking about special past experiences, as well as looking forward to more special experiences to come.Â
People. Moments. Experiences.Â
Thatâs really what makes the world go around.Â
And so as you and I embark on all of the adventures that await us in 2019 – planned or unplanned – may they involve special people, special moments, and special experiences.Â
They make the journey worthwhile, and give life meaning.Â
Short and sweet this week, as Iâm getting ready to board!
Have a FAB week!