My last post I shared my mixed emotions about all of our upcoming adventures. Now I sit, 35,000 feet up in the sky and it is nothing but sheer joy. Certainly it was hard to say good-bye to Chloe and Jared but Claire and I are having a blast. For 3 hours Claire has been hanging out, watching some videos, eating, nothing too exciting but she is just so calm. There is an overwhelming sense of support and love from the people in our life, thank you for all of the texts and facebook love. Both myself and Claire deeply appreciate the knowledge that we are not doing this alone.

There is something about being on the plane to Boston that I actually feel like I might be able to help Claire in a very real way. As I think about this if literally feels like weight lifting from my shoulders. As I sat back thinking about it all I noticed Claire point to her ear as she grew a little uncomfortable. I told her some juice would relieve the pain and it did. It was awe-inspiring to see her use her body like that and it allowed me to imagine what else could be possible.

Sure I was still super awkward helping her in and out of the small airplane lavatory but instead of frustration she laughed. Audible Claire laughs are so rare and I got one hunched over trying to put her pants on while she pulled my hair for balance, it was marvelous. She had a giant grin on her face as we walked back to our seats. She spoke to each of the first class passengers. She passed them using her proud confident eyes voice and each of them listened very carefully. I love getting to watch Claire do her thing, inspiring people just by being herself.

I don’t know what chaos or adventure is ahead for us on this leg.  But I am optimistic to have things start on this foot. I am so relieved to be to the part where we are doing it. After all of the hard stuff, feeling the vulnerability or stepping out there, it really is amazing to get to relax into the good part and I am looking forward to watching it unfold. Thank you so much to each of you out there for keeping us company on this adventure in Rettland, we couldn’t be doing it without you.