Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Summer Journey

Where do I even begin?

I have had the most incredible journey this summer. On Thursday July 7th, 2011 I departed my house in Montreal for a cross Canada adventure. Surely there is no other way to classify it other than adventure.

From Montreal to Kingston, ON to pick up my co-pilot- Tina, and then to her family's cottage for the weekend. It was the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate before heading on our way. From one cottage to another just outside of North Bay, ON we stayed at the Preston cottage for the night. After a long drive we finally crashed in Wawa, ON the next day. Thunder Bay was next on the list although we camped at Kakabeka Falls (primarily because the name was so fun to say) for the night before moving on again in the morning.

Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Banff, Calgary, Kettle River and now Vancouver.

I have learned so much on this trip about myself, about others and about how I deal in relationship with others.

The first week of the trip was really challenging for me. Tina was a tough mirror to be sitting next to in a car for that long. I was annoyed and unable to express it. Had I said something at that time she would've likely been on the next flight home because I would have been blaming her for my own shit. So I did my best to sit with my shit and sort it out on my own before sharing it with her.

Then a magical thing happened. We arrived in the Rockies. It was almost instant actually... All of a sudden I was able to express what had been going on from a place of love and understanding instead of judgment, hurt and anger. I shared my feelings and in turn held the space to hear and acknowledge hers.

I cannot even begin to explain how thankful I am that she is in my life. She has provided me with the space to really deal with my own stuff with love. I know it was not easy for her but she did it anyway and it gave me the chance to learn so much about me.

Tina- you have been the most perfect person to have in the car with me throughout this journey. Thank you for being here!

(There's more to tell on this journey so stay tuned)