Fear

My younger daughter finally made it back to her host family home. She had quite the awful week and I have never been so relieved to hear she made it back safely. The pickpocket incident in Spain left her feeling quite vulnerable.  No phone.  No rail pass. No feeling of security.  Then she was SO sick with food poisoning. She couldn't keep anything down at all for over 24 hours.  Then sadly, my daughter and her friend missed a bus connection due to the stolen rail pass, ended up 4 hours out of their way, late at night, all the while desperate to get back "home".  Near the end of their journey, her friend had her backpack stolen.  She lost everything - all her clothes, her glasses, her souvenirs - all gone.  It happened in an instant too.  They were riding on a train and their backpacks were on the rack right above their heads.  Some man leaned into my daughter's friend, his coat in her face, and in that instant grabbed her backpack and ran. To say this was a nightmare of a trip would be an understatement.  It was really awful and has left both of them full of fear.  How can they travel again? How can they go and see all the things they have dreamed of?  How will they ever feel safe again? Fear is a crippling emotion. It is hard to just STOP being afraid but with every positive step forward, fear can be left behind. I am sending some anti-theft items to my daughter to help prevent future incidents from occurring. I purchased some slash proof, chain encased, RFID proofed bags and that should really help keep her things safe.  I also said she needs to keep her sense of adventure.  She needs to keep her sense of wonder.  She cannot let the one bad week rob her of all that awaits.

You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.  ~Mary Manin Morrissey

Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.  ~Bill Cosby

To fear is one thing.  To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.  ~Katherine Paterson

I have learned over the years that when one's mind is made up, this diminishes fear.  ~Rosa Parks

By the end of our email chatting, she was feeling better. She feels prepared to tackle the world once again.  As for me.....only 4 more months until June.....When she is back home....safe and sound.