Dear friends,
As much as I love to travel, and it ranks high among my core values, I have learned that I love coming home just as much. I miss my morning routines and the comfort of my own space. And every trip reminds me that we live in a bit of paradise right here at home too.
This summer, Spain was especially close to my heart. My mom is from Pamplona, and my three closest friends are either from Spain or living there now, so the food was familiar, the language was ours, and being surrounded by family and friends was the cherry on top.
It also gave me a deeper appreciation for a slower pace of life. In Spain, a meal can last for hours, shared over tapas, those small plates you pass around the table, along with wine, stories, and a lot of laughter. Spaniards don’t live to work, they work to enjoy living. We even met Uber drivers who take a whole month off each year, and they were happy. Between running a business and raising two daughters, I rarely slow down like that. This trip reminded me that I don’t want life to pass me by while I’m busy. So here is my wish for you this month: slow down enough to enjoy one long, unhurried meal, one real conversation, one moment where you are not rushing off to the next thing.
Of course, we could not travel without someone getting sick. Both of my daughters did, once in Florence and once in Paris, and it gave me a firsthand look at how different healthcare can be abroad. In Florence, the doctor came to us. In Paris, we walked into an urgent care at 8 p.m. and were seen right away, with such care and patience despite our poor grasp of the language. It left me with a hopeful heart, and a deeper sympathy for our clients and for the doctors who tell us how broken our own system can be. When you don’t understand the system, it is so hard to navigate, and that is exactly where we come in.
It reminded me of our family in Rome, trying to find the right platform for our train. We didn’t speak the language, and no one stopped to help. Standing there, a little lost, I thought: this must be what it feels like to navigate insurance on your own. If you have ever felt that way, opening a letter from your plan or sitting on hold for a simple answer, please know you are not alone, and you do not have to figure it out by yourself.
I came home grateful, for the memories, for my family, and for the privilege of helping you find your platform in a system that is anything but simple.
Before I go, I would love to hear from you. What is the most memorable trip you have ever taken? Hit reply and tell me. I read every one.
Warmly, ~ Cindy
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