It seems slightly indulgent to be writing this while looking out over the Aegean Sea, but I think travel is a pretty good metaphor for life.

We are better when we stop to watch the sunset. When we gasp at something we have never seen before. When we wander down a road without knowing exactly where it leads.

And, most importantly, when we look our travel companions in the eyes and say, “I am so very grateful you are on this journey with me. That I get to share this special time with you.”

We feel that right now.

We felt it in the incredible outpouring of love when Ryan died.

We feel it in the ongoing support, food, gifts, visits, texts, and notes you have delivered to Pops and Cynde.

We are so very grateful you are on this journey with us.

Cynde is doing well and is celebrating almost a week at home! She is recovering, healing, and settling into a new state of normal. She was even able to attend one of the grandboys’ football games and has enjoyed a couple of visitors.

The biggest issue right now is fatigue—which is no surprise considering the pillaging of her tum.

So please continue to reach out. Send the words of love and encouragement. And please don’t take it personally if you don’t hear back right away. Every note is read. Every message is cherished. Sometimes she just doesn’t have the energy to respond.

Meanwhile, we have been traveling with dear friends who, along the way, have introduced us to new dear friends. We feel incredibly fortunate to be sharing this amazing Grecian adventure with them.

This morning, we were talking about friendship, and one of my new travel buddies shared a passage with me:

“I think friendship is one of the greatest love stories we’ll ever have. Someone who has nothing to owe you chooses you anyway. They become a part of your life just because they want to be. I don’t think we talk enough about how special that is. To be loved by people who are not family. Who didn’t fall in love with you. Who just met you, got to know you, and decided, ‘I want you to be a part of my life.”

“I think that is one of the purest forms of love there is.”

Maybe that is what I am feeling so deeply here, halfway around the world.

Life gives us so many journeys we never planned to take. Some are breathtakingly beautiful. Some bring us to our knees. Most contain a little bit of both.

But what a gift it is to look beside you and realize you are not traveling alone.

To healing.

And to those who help us heal.