I watched the most charming video this week. It is the story of two elderly women from the Netherland who got the chance to fly in an airplane for the first time in their lives. I was expecting something fun, yet was surprised to actually find myself crying part way through the video, because it struck a deep chord within me. Please watch it, and then let’s meet back on the other side to chat a little bit about it.
The thing that struck me most about this story was the joy of their experience. The fear and anxiety, the decision to give it a shot– and then the pure delight of discovering that they could sail high above the earth and land in another world altogether, in just a matter of minutes.
How many flights have I taken in my lifetime? Dozens– at least eight per year in high school alone. How many new countries have I visited? Twelve in the last four years alone. I never want to take travel for granted. I know that it’s a way of life for lots of people these days, but it is still absolutely amazing to be able to do it. To show up in another land, just for the fun of checking it out. It’s borderline miraculous, really!
I wonder about so many things that seem normal to me, that would have been impossible for other people not long ago. For me, it did seem impossible not very many years ago, that we could pick up and move to Europe and live well here. That my husband could lose his job in Germany a few short months later, for us to land back in the States, and yet make it back over here– all in one year. (You can read about our expat story here.) Scary, exhilarating, amazing. And I never want to lose my sense of wonder over this incredible and beautiful and fascinating world we live in, or the simple fact that I am alive. I want to take every chance I get to really live, and to notice and experience all that is around me.
This short, sweet video story reminded me of all of that, I had to share it with you.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do, that scares and thrills you? Do you have a “bucket list?”
Love it! You are so right it takes things like this to remind us just how lucky we are to have seen and experienced so much. The expat life has its hardships for sure but also so many pluses!
I watched this video yesterday and was moved by it also. For me it is not so much going someplace as it is the magnificent view of the earth and clouds from above. I have never been able to fly without staring our the window in awe at our beautiful mother ship, the earth. I think those two women were feeling that awe too.
loved this!
Sheer delight!
This reminded me of my mother-in-law’s visit to see us in California. She is a shopkeeper in a small town in Southern Japan, and it was the first time she had ever left the country. We took her to Las Vegas and,of course, she was amazed at everything, but what was most fun for us was to see how she how she became a complete kid at Disneyland. I’ve never seen her laugh so much.
What a wonderful video, such fun to see their joy. Thank you so much for sharing!
What a fantastic video and post! Got me all choked up! Thanks for reminding me to look at the bigger picture and not get so bogged down in the day to day stuff. 🙂