The Little Moments Series | Post 2 (to read Post 1, click here)

“That’s what I miss most” she said in her cute old lady Scottish accent. Both Pete and I had been captivated by her travel stories since we sat down next to her on the plane. She told us how her late husband David had passed away 2 years ago, and that they got to see a lot of the world together and they had been to New Zealand 7 times before he passed. This was her 2nd trip there without him and I thought she was brave for going so far alone at her age. It must remind her of their adventures together I thought to myself. “It’s just so lovely to have someone to share things with, it’s such a gift, never take it for granted” she would say. My heart broke for her as I imagined her exploring the islands by herself and I felt myself gripping peters hand just a little tighter. We are so lucky to have each other and to live the life we live I thought. How the universe places people and experiences in our life at the perfect moments to encourage us to be grateful. There I was, exhausted and quite honestly tired of traveling and just longing to be home, and there she was, striving for exactly what I had 45 years later in life, alone, wishing her life partner could be with her so they could finish exploring the world together. “Thank you for being so kind and talking with me, I’m quite afraid of flying and often wish to find someone to help me take my mind off of it” she said as the plane landed again. This little insignificant encounter with a complete stranger left me inspired and filled with gratitude for what I have, I’ll always be grateful to little Granny Gene for that reminder❤

(photo by johanna macdonald, lake pukaki, new zealand)