My mom and I drove cross-country from California to Philadelphia so that I could start residency. We did the drive in 7 days, took some time to see family along the way, and stopped often to appreciate the natural beauty of it all. It was an incredible trip I’ll never forget!
In August Sam and I were fortunate enough to meet Paul in London. He was covering the games for NBC. We got to attend our first Olympic event, and felt as though Stacey was with us.
This past March, I spent time in China and revisited the Great Wall.
The Great Wall is a truly magnificent sight with its steep, stone steps and square, brick turrets that top over ten thousand miles of China’s mountainous hilltops and cragged valleys. The Wall is so expansive you can see it trail off into the distant horizon, and yet up close, the wall surrounds and engulfs you with its presence. It is a feat to imagine it being built by generations of people more than two thousand years ago with basic, rudimentary tools and yet, today, it stands as a humbling reminder of man’s capabilities.
After hiking the wall for a bit, I escaped my tour group and had a moment to catch my breath, undisturbed. I stared off into the distance. Standing before me was one of the seven wonders of the world — a testament to mankind’s physical power — and in my thoughts was Stacey, a beloved friend and ever-present reminder of the power of the human spirit. I could imagine Stacey’s voice, either laughing or asking us to take another picture or gawking at the stray, wild cats milling about the Wall.
My second time to the Great Wall was with Stacey, but in a different capacity than I would have wanted. I miss you, Stacey.
I went to Rio and Sao Paulo for work in March, but as the fates would have it, I ended up in Rio for the same weekend that my amazing French cousin and an old friend from the states who had lived in Brazil for years were all in Rio.
My friend and I headed to a secluded beach outside of the city. We swam in the cool ocean, sunbathed, and had dinner at sunset in a national park. The following day, my cousin and I headed up to a waterfall in an urban park and then strolled through the Rio Botanical Garden.
Together, we talked about love, life, and what we were all here for. I thought of Stacey throughout the travels, seeing butterflies and beautiful flowers everywhere, but honestly, I thought of her most while just talking with my friends and family. She was so great at connecting with people, listening, and remembering what mattered most. I was glad to do the same, with people I really loved.
In honor of Stacey, and living life to the fullest, Katie Furlong and myself set out to taste the wines in Northern California. It was an amazing experience, and we tasted delicious wine, ate wonderful food, and made great friends in our travels! The trip was the perfect balance of relaxation, education, and fun! Stacey was with us throughtout the entire journey.
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