Most of the time I enjoy the travel part of my job. But this last trip I didn't want to go. I left the kids and Jeff behind grilling and playing in the yard. I wanted so much to stay with my family. But off I went and it was actually a good two days. I learned a lot and made some great connections. I was not able to see Andra because I really needed to go to dinner and smooze. Fortunately she understands these things and wasn't offended. I am sure to see her the next time I go down there in August. I got back last night around 8pm and snuggled on the couch. I swear airplanes kill brain cells because I always feel out of step the next day. This morning I forgot the kids' lunches and had to go home and retrieve them and go back to school. So I was late for my conference and I hate missing the pre-agenda coffee chats.
No travel for two more weeks when we leave for Alaska. We'll have a few days on our own before my conference starts. It is basically pre-season there so a lot of things are unavailable. But we'll rent a car, drive up to Denali and stay there. That is where I will spread Tom's ashes. We'll actually take a helicopter and land on a glacier. He would have absolutely wanted it that way. I want to get him as close as possible since he never realized his dream of climbing McKinley. I have been dreading this trip. It was making me stressed out and I cried just thinking about what that moment is going to be like. But I decided to re-frame it in my mind. Instead of thinking about it as sad and another goodbye. I think of it as a good thing, carrying out his wishes, setting him free. Because most of all he wanted to be free. And it's working because now I can talk about with positive language and smile. I am sure to cry when we're there actually letting him go but I won't be nearly the wreck I was imagining.