All my kids are in their 20’s now, so I’m no stranger to traveling to the airport to drop one off. My eldest daughter has been living on the West coast for many years, so I’ve become familiar with the early morning trip to JFK to pick her up off of the redeye or drop her off to head west.  This trip to JFK was different. Perhaps it was when she called her bank to notify them that she’d be traveling out of the country for 18 months or longer that it sunk in.  This time the bird would be leaving the nest and flying far away, without a return ticket.

There is something both exciting and unsettling about encouraging your kid to follow her dreams when it means traveling so far and for so long.  The adventure my daughter has chosen to embark on will give her an opportunity to grow and experience life in a way not possible here in the US.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”

– Mark Twain

I am blown away by my daughter’s focus, organization and determination. She set a goal, saved her money, did tons of research and downsized her belongings. With just a teal blue pack on her back, her favorite color, she’s off to see the world.  Join me in sending her light and love on her journey.

Bon voyage, Melanie!