I’m writing to you from Sea-Tac International Airport. In twenty minutes, I’ll board a flight that will take me to Tokyo, where my parents and two younger siblings live. This is an emergency visit.
If you, too, are just holding on in the midst of family-related challenges, please know I’m with you. I’m one of you.
I spent the last week rounding up silly little treasures to bring from Seattle; some by request, others just because. I got beautifully packaged truffles from Chocolati, chocolate lollipops the shape of the Space Needle, five pounds worth of candy from the dollar store (Smarties, Ring Pops, Mike & Ikes, mini candy canes, gummy bears, Gushers), herbal teas, taco seasoning and flour tortillas, clear plastic shower curtain rings, and doorknob decorations with jingle bells on shiny ribbon.
My throat clenched and my heart felt heavy while I ran to each store.
But as I packed all the goodies into my suitcase, I couldn’t help but see how joyful this ragtag collection is. How stubbornly we seek and create small pleasures even when life is grim.
A few months ago, I walked past a woman wearing a T-shirt that said, “Change starts with a promise.” I didn’t know what that meant, but I wrote it down in the notes app on my phone for the day I knew how to write about it.
Today is the day.
I promise to seek small joys that heal on this trip. Impossibly tiny things that remind me that life is worth living no matter what.
And I invite you to join me in this small promise to find healing.
If you’re so called, please press “reply” and share your promise with me. I’ll keep them close to my heart.
