Adventure Day 3

We woke up refreshed and relieved that we had made it through 'Just Thursday' and were anxious to see what today's adventure had in store.

But where to go from here?

With perfect timing, my friend texted me,'Follow the Sunshine.'

Back in The Starship Escalade...we left Atlantic City and headed South...that is until we ran out of road.

Then our ship came in...

When we arrived at Cape May, NJ our only option was to take the ferry to Delaware.  Like herd of cattle we were corralled in place and  off we sailed.

Side note: for the 30 mile trip it was the best MPG the Starship Escalade has ever seen!

As Marc looked out at the gorgeous panoramic view I can't help but notice the couple in the car next to us...he's asleep and she's reading on a Kindle...I laugh as I think that is a peek into the 'future us'...still traveling...still together...still embarking on an adventure.

Until then, we'll just do our thing...

Me, Marc, and the open road...or sea...

Adventure Day 2

Happy Just Thursday!
( from Atlantic City,NJ)
And for the first time in 5 years it was really...just Thursday.
We slept in...
Enjoyed coffee with a view...

then took the elevator down to the action.
Nothing says holiday tradition like the ringing of slot machines, drunk guys yelling "Yo!" and the smell of stale smoke...ahhhh...the casino...filled to the brim with fellow Just Thursdians.
The quote of the day was, "What did you win, now?"
I have to admit...THAT was fun!
  At dinner we reflected on how much we have to be thankful for and how blessed we are.  Eric is home with my in-laws and extended family enjoying turkey, the fixings, and all that is traditional.  I'm thankful everyone is where they need to be to get through today.
Maybe what we did, and our Mexican meal, isn't exactly tradition,...yet 

 ...but who knows?
We did see a whole bunch of other fellow Just Thursdians enjoying a meal, a smile, and the rattle of casino chips in their pockets!
Nothing will ever be as it was but we will continue to reach for the stars whenever we can.
Now, if you'll please excuse me...I have to run...the paparazzi is chasing Marc...

Adventure Day 1

Adventure: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Escalade. Its 13 day mission: to explore strange new lands, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no married couple has gone before...stuck together, no reservations, no destination...in search of Sanity.
Margarete A. Cassalina ...co-captian's log, star date 11.23

We drove south on I-87, to 17 South, to the Garden State Parkway toward Atlantic City...why?
Because of this:

You see, last year we decided where to begin our trip by throwing a dart at a map. That dart toss brought us to The Natural Bridge in VA, then our Facebook friends took it from there. This year, we knew Jena would lead the way and we received this flyer in the mail the day we asked, "Wonder where our first stop will be?"...the "13" is what convinced us.

However, the word of 'Just Thursday' must have gotten out and the rooms were booked...so we brought in the 'Big Guns', Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner...The Prince of Price negotiation ...Priceline take it away.

Hurray for Harrahs!!

Hope lady luck is on our side...because Mama needs a new pair of Manolo Blahniks

Just a few thoughts from the road...

Travel with an open mind and heart
Enjoy the Adventure that's about to unfold
And wean Marc off the country stations...

Events & Adventures

4 hours

600 people

1.5 million dollars

all for Cystic Fibrosis research.

What a great adieu to the last CF event of the year…leave on a high note and a fist full of cash for the cure.  I'll leave the event with hope for the future, a couple of roses, and a York Peppermint Pattie.

Ahhh, that Peppermint Pattie.  

My very dear friend, Donna, makes sure there are plenty of Peppermint Patties at the Gala in memory of my little girl, Jena.  “Of course they’re there!” Donna always says, “I would never forget her!”

Over a million reasons to be elated
Over a dozen CF events behind me
and only three very painful dates to now endure

I take a deep breath in and sigh as I think of what’s ahead of me.  I take a Peppermint Pattie off the table, and grab Marc’s hand as we walk out Cipriani’s doors down 42^nd Street, toward our hotel.

Marc and I recap the success of evening as we stroll hand in hand in the brisk night air.  I just love the vibe of New York City…all the energy, the unexpected, the excitement that defines NYC.  We are here so often that we don’t even bother to read the street signs anymore; we just walk…engrossed in our chat about CF, what we plan to do about the unpleasant upcoming events, and ponder if we should stop at the great wine bar we like on 44th before we call it a night.

Together we seemed to have figured out how to get through in life what most people can’t understand.  Perhaps it’s as easy as just taking that one step at a time, hand in hand, where the streets have no names.  Okay maybe that last part is borrowed from Bono... 

My point?

Life is hard.

Hearts get broken.

Some things are truly out of our control.

All the more reason to control how you handle it.

3 dates left to handle:
Thanksgiving
December 4^th
Christmas

They have been absolute hell for us since Jena “moved up” in 2006.

One was her last holiday with us
One date I will despise forever
One celebration that's lost it's magic

We keep trying to find new ways to breathe through them. Each year we try to make them bearable. We keep trying.

Last year we believe we found the answer.  Marc & I decided to change things up a bit.  We cancelled Thanksgiving, renamed it “Just Thursday” and escaped on a 10-day adventure to nowhere and didn't return home until December 5th…oh, and we took ALL our Facebook friends along for the ride.  We asked, "North on 95? or West on 80?"  We let our Facebook friends decide "Chattanooga or Memphis?" "Hurricane or Margarita?"

Our impromptu trip turned in to a communal escape from reality...with nothing but a suitcase, a smartphone and a sense of adventure.

Well, after our walk down the streets of NYC it inspired us to do it again.  We are setting out Wednesday night for another adventure to nowhere...

…so, I'm asking, "U2?"

Adventure begins November 23rd...FOLLOW US!

Margarete McCord Cassalina | 

 For those of you new to this, please read  "Just Thursday: The Adventure to Nowhere"

Adventure Paused

An adventure.


The spirit behind the 10-day adventure was the same spirit that led the way...Jena.

The penny we found on Adventure Day 1 was our first "Jena clue" that she was part of this adventure.

We set out to see the country, no plans and no destination in mind. Just love and adventure leading the way. Jena's presence was strong thoughout our trip from our first stop on "Just Thursday" at the Flying J at 3:13 in the afternoon to Friday's unplanned visit to the Natural Bridge in VA at 3:13, and then again at our gas pitstop on Saturday at yet another Flying J at...yup, you guessed it...3:13.

Jena's birthday is 3/13.

The adventure seemed to be able to distract the heartache associated with this time. You see, this week (4 years ago) is the epitome of pain. The pain of seeing Jena suffer with collapsed lungs, the pain of awaiting for a lung transplant that never happened, and the pain on Monday, Dec 4th when God came to bring her home.

That pain.

That pain, the monster of all emotion comes back in full swing this time every year and I can't seem to control the intesity.  Still, we tried to fight the debilitating force by taking an adventure, with no expectations other than to follow our hearts...and with Jena leading the way it actually did seem like an exciting idea.

It was.  Day after day our adventure grew.  Thanks to cyber-space we were able to share our adventure with friends around the country and it enhanced the joy.

Then came Adventure Day 9...at 11:59pm...in Savannah,GA. We checked into a riverfront hotel, made it to our room only to walk into a wall of emotion that just seemed to be waiting for us to arrive.

It was now Dec 4th and the reality of this entire trip hit me like a ton of razors. Four years ago today was the last time I saw, hugged, and kissed my baby girl. At least her birthday is a celebration of sorts...the day she entered my life but today, December 4th, there is nothing good.

Today is nothing to celebrate.

So what did I do?

I opened a very expensive bottle of wine that we bought yesterday from our new friend at Wine World. I poured a very large glass of wine and began to cry.  The lump in your throat, can't talk, ugly cry.  I was ready for the wave of heart-wrenching pain my heart was about to endure.

It's like watching your life pass before your eyes...but it was her life that I saw. The memories of the day she was born, the first time she said, "I love you, Mommy" ...her giggle, her determination, and even our heated debates about what I think she should do and what she was going to do anyway. The memories of all the hospitals she endured due to CF, all the suffering she dealt with, all while having the strength to do it with the courage I only wish I had.

All that.

All 13 years of memories and emotions came flooding into my heart without any barrier to stop it.

I finished the bottle around 3am with puffy eyes and swollen heart and crawled into bed. Waking up wasn't much better. But the love of Jena once again led the way and I looked at my phone to see that there were so many other people thinking of Jena and our family today and the tears began again. I spent the next four hours reading all the texts, emails, and Facebook posts of love, prayers, and strength.

I'm telling you it works.

The love and strength I got from everyone overpowered the seemingly unending hurricane of sadness and I was wonderfully reminded that love is the greatest gift and love truly is...never ending.

One particular friend snapped me out of it with her words,"Stay on your journey, don't hide from the sun."

With those words, I got up and threw all the tissues in the garbage.  I took a long shower and headed out into the sun knowing Jena was right there by my side.

We ventured out on to the streets of Savannah and strolled along the riverfront.  We took in the sights of the riverboats, the sweet smell of hot fresh pralines and the live holiday music in full swing.
 
Walking down the historic cobblestone streets, Marc and I recognized that life is an adventure and with baby steps you can get through even the hardest of days. The heartache and the happiness, it's all part of the adventure and it's ok to feel the pain, to hurt when it hurts, but remember to get back in the sun as soon as you're able.

As we made our way back to the car, I stopped at one of the beautiful parks in Savannah.  It happen to be where the famous "Forest Gump" bench is.  I just had to laugh at the chance of the moment.  Of course, I sat down and said, "Life is like a box of chocolates and I've been so blessed with the assortment I've been given.



...Adventure resumed

...Life continues

...Love never ends.

I love you Jena.