vamoskigo

There are millions of wonderful things about setting off on an adventure. Removing yourself from the daily routine of life is a liberating experience and we’ve found there are only a few factors that we’ve severely missed – our family, friends and dogs. Although they’ve cheered (barked) us along on our world quest, meeting up at various points, sending updates and photos from home, chatting on Skype and posting plenty of Facebook messages, with each E.T. phone home touch, we’re keenly aware of how much they mean to us.

This past Wednesday, a very dear friend from Atlanta who had been fighting cancer for several years joined the angels. Being on the other side of the world at a moment like this is one of the most heartbreaking we’ve ever experienced and a facet of travel that we did not expect to confront. You want to be home immediately, supporting family and friends, honoring the friend you’ve lost and not feeling helpless. Yesterday evening, a Celebration of Life was held to honor Alicia and we were thankful to “attend” via Skype, along with some family members also far away.

Those lucky enough to have called Alicia Maxwell friend were truly blessed by her love and light. She was the most beautiful loving woman we’ve even known, and most likely that we ever will. She was courageous, focused, gracious, funny, caring, compassionate, tenacious. She had a spirit that lit her eyes and smile and in turn everyone’s around her.

Through the chemotherapy, whole-brain radiation, gamma-knife brain surgery and recoveries, she challenged herself continuously, never complaining, never speaking negatively of or to anyone and always with that infectious unwavering smile. During her fight, she became a doctor of physical therapy, walked for a cure, became the mom of a puppy named Spirit and bought a new house with her husband, which they quickly made a home. She enjoyed every moment of every day.

As we look towards the last few months of our travel, we are committed to living the Alicia way – with smiles on our faces, hearts open to those we encounter and a positive spirit no matter what the journey may throw in our path. This is our way of honoring our special friend.