The single most amazing thing about this trip has been, without a doubt, the people we have gotten to meet. And the stories that they share. Stories that make me look at my mixed up, upside down, right side up, word jumble of a life and say “thank god.” Thank you God for the blessings in my life. For the abundance that I take for granted every single day. For the breath that I breathe and heart in my chest. Thank you for Starbucks and Cooper’s face and Taylor Swift on the iPod. Thank you for Mexican food where they know how to cook it. Thank you for friends & family who love me far more than I deserve. Thank you for letting me chase every dream I ever bothered to think of. And I’m sorry for not dreaming more, for loving more, for laughing more while I still have the chance. But I want You to know that I’m going to work on that. Every. single. day. I’m going to work on that. So, thank you God for the stories that they tell. Because for that fleeting moment, when I hear them, I feel like I’m actually holding on to how beautiful life is.

This is a picture of our Ranger friend at the Alamo. As he told us how he’s saved for the past year to be able to drive his wife & four kids from San Antonio to Orlando, and take his family to Disney World for just one day. One day. One whole year of his life for one day of their happiness. And I never want to forget how proud he was when he told us that. Because that’s love like only a father (or a mother) can give. And that to me, is beautiful.