A List for Lexi...

...of the things I wanted to say to her before she left for Italy and didn't get the chance!

I actually wrote this list the day she left. She was supposed to meet up with her group about 12:30 at LAX...I had scheduled my flight back from Phoenix about that same time somehow thinking that would work! Hello?!?! Wasn't counting the 2 hours in advance for security that I needed to be there. Anyway...to make a long story short. The "significant" send off I had envisioned in my head (me offereing sound advice like "be careful on the streets", "beware of cute Italian boys", etc.) didn't happen. We were on the rental car shuttle...I got dropped off at my terminal first and basically got to give her a quick hug before being thrown off with my bag! And then she was gone. As I was waiting to check in, I was thinking to myself, "Is there a way to possibly take a cab over to the International Terminal and still get back before my flight takes off?" No time...basically walked right onto the plane after I got through security. The good news?!? I had somehow gotten bumped to first class. Actually...that probably wasn't such good news. It meant that since I boarded first, every person on the plane walked by and got to see me sitting there with tears streaming down my face! I pulled out the US Airways magazine under the guise of doing a crossword puzzle (really the plan was to hide behind it). I starting leafing through starting at the back (usually where the puzzles reside) and stopped when I saw the route maps. I drew a little heart around Italy on the map and decided to write the things that I had wanted to say to Alexia on that page. I shared this with my class at Creative Escape (the list is now in my album), but she hasn't had an opportunity to see it so I'm posting it here for her! :)

9.2.08

Alexia I pray...

• you don't have to pay extra for your bags!
• you have a safe flight
• you sit next to someone fun that you can talk to on the way
• God works out all the details of roommates, etc.
• you get lots of opportunities to speak Italian so you will learn it fluently
• you get to travel to lots of exciting places with friends
• you will touch others like you so obviously have on the Malibu campus
• you will be happy...not homesick
• you will post lots of photos on Facebook so I can "share" in your adventures
• you will always know how much I love you and how proud I am of you!

Miss you tons sweetie...and love you even more! :)

Comments

[Brenda]

This has actually been a harder year to let them go, but off they are going to GREAT things. I know God has already answered some of the items on your prayer list so keep us posted on the rest. Caio Bella to Lexi, that beautiful girl!

[Michelle]

Oh how I can relate..my son went to Germany for a couple of weeks over the summer on a High School trip. The high point of my day was logging on and looking for him on the website they maintained for the Moms. I'd notice things like "he's wearing sandals and it's rainy", "he was standing by that girl in yesterdays pics", etc. I was obsessed with the daily pictures. Before I knew it, he was home again and he had an Excellent time! Not sure about your childhood but mine definitely didn't involve travel abroad. In fact, I didn't even go to the state capitol! I'm so thankful that I'm in a place in life where I can give him these experiences. Wipe those tears away girly! Our God will watch, guide and protect our babies.

[tena Sprenger]

love this list and the story that goes with it. tena

[alexia]

Momma!!! That means so much, thank you! I hope I can have that airplane magazine route map :). I LOVEEEE YOU.

[becca]

Oh Laurie.
I can so imagine what you must have been feeling, as tears well up in my eyes. Huge hugs to you. I'm going to ask Eric & Harper to stay little forever. (Wish me luck.)

xoxo.

Love,
Becca