Vacation

I just got back from an amazing vacation in New York City, NY.  Honestly, it was the best trip I have ever been on. I researched everything from my hostel to the local events. I didn't leave on a whim, this trip that has always been on my "bucket list." It really started out as a hypothetical thing/way to cross off things from the list, but it soon turned into a reason to forget.

Since the beginning of my senior year I have spent everyday with my best friend. I always knew he would leave for the Marines, but I was never prepared. He left in late August and won't return until mid-December. Even then he will only be home for a week. When he left I signed up for college and soon found out when my winter break was scheduled, November 23, 2011 until January 9, 2012. I couldn't go all that time without him, so I decided to do something about it.

For my graduation I received around $800 and I didn't have anything to do with it. After I put a third of it in savings I began to research. If I stayed in a hostel and worked for my mother I could go to New York for a week on $900. For once I was taking control and doing something on my own. There comes a time in everyone's life when they need to control things.

As soon as I got to the train station all I could think of was my best friend and how alone I was. The whole trip he never left my mind. But I found a way to cope. I believe that God has a plan for each of us and keeps us safe. Well, I definitely saw that on this trip. Just as he came to mind a fully robed Franciscan friar got out of a car. As I checked my bag and received my ticket he struck up a conversation with my mother. He never promised to see I was safe on the train, sit with me in sight, or see me off at Penn station, but he did. God sent me him to feel safe. That experience gave me enough confidence to pursue the trip to the fullest, even if I was physically alone.

In that trip I received a message. God wants us to be happy and experience everything the world has to offer, but there is always a message. And He knows what He's doing. I had the best time because I trusted Him to keep me safe. Once I said, "I'm glad you are watching out for me." He made everything amazing. For example: I met Alan Rickman, Jerry O'Connell, Lily Rabe, and Hamish Linklater. Even though they were extremely busy they had time for me. Also, I made some wonderful friends. At the play I met two wonderful women from London who made sure I met Alan. And I watched chick flicks with two very gruff looking German men. I skipped the Christmas tree lighting for that and I loved it.

Sometimes God is subtle as a truck, but when he whispers it is magical.