trip
The long anticipated journey to Europe and ship excursion through the Aegean is over. The return trip was exhaustingly long, but a few hours sleep is getting us back in the routine that has previously sustained us. A broken brace for the somewhat atrophied leg and foot of this PD participant necessitated having to forego the self-possessed desire to do the return trip walking through seemingly miles of meandering airport and customs pathways and surrender to the aid of ship and airport persons equipped with wheel chairs and alternate airport pathways. This heart is filled with gratitude for all those who helped, but especially the gentleman in Philadelphia, who shared with us his joy of travel and the journeys to many of the places we had visited. Thanks to his help, we were whisked from our arrival gate, through Customs, to baggage claim, and then through the process of rechecking all for the last flight home. Sore, throbbing, and sleepy, we arrived home thanks to Joy, and shared some recollections of our inspiring journey before retiring to some much needed rest. Gratitude was the pillow upon which our head filled with cherished moments lay for a renewing repose.