The Prelude to Everything

Andrea and I finally made it to Prague yesterday after several obstacles we had face, worries and frustrations. Most of them were personal and to go into them would be only self-serving, venting no one wants to read. Let me just say it truly was a major undertaking to get us here and, so far, although it has been less than one day here in Europe, all I can say about those struggles was it was they were well worth it.
As to our trip of a lifetime (I guess that is what I will refer to it as), I will start with when I made it back to Michigan. I arrived under much stresses all due to my own deeds. Luckily, I have the most marvelous support team around me that anyone could ask for; My mother, whom I must especially thank and tell that I love her and to try not to worry too much, my Father, who’s fatherly advise is well listened too despite my disposition which I often carry that I already know everything, and, my beautiful girlfriend, Andrea, who is laying asleep two steps away from me, without her support and her want for adventure I would have never been brave enough to undertake this trip of a lifetime. Lastly, I want to thank so many others who have supported me. I only wish I could make a complete list one each of their names and the support they have provided for me, but if I attempted to do so I would never leave this hotel room to see the sites of Prague. They know who they are; whether they be my friends with the moral support and friendship they have given to me or my family members who have, also, shown me nothing, but kindness.
Well, truly, that about sums up my three weeks in Michigan after leaving the exhausting heat of Arizona. I came home to friends and family who made all this possible and pushed me to follow my dreams. I, in return, can only say thank you from the very bottom of my heart and can only ask despite all those things you have all ready done for me that you do the same. Follow your dreams, do what it is with your life. You only live once so I believe, the Dalai Lama may argue, and to not take adventure of all the amazing people and things in the world would be a shame.
After those three weeks in Michigan, My Mother, in her everlasting kindness, drove Andrea and me to New York. She was able to see her other son and we had a great time. Although, patience was tested and exhaustion was pushed to its limit. We moved about New York City and Hoboken with a fury, never seeming to find time to rest. My Mother was able to go see a Broadway show (I wish I could have go too, but it was not in the cards) and Andrea was able to enjoy the night life with her own brother and friends she had not seen in a while. My highlight, I was able to spend time with my brother. Our attitudes are not the same and we did bicker back and forth like little kids a couple of times, but nevertheless, we still, at least in my eyes had a great time together. There were two special moments, which I had with my Brother, the first being that I was able to see him at work. It is hard to call it work from my perspective, but nevertheless, it was and he was truly a spectacle to watch. When went to watch the sports league he runs play the beginning of their football season. You should have seen it, there had to be something close to hundred people all playing and he had it all organized to perfection. It was funny to watch as his name was called out from every direction, “Chris, what do we do about this?” or “Chris, can we do this?” And he handled it all with a grace, never even showing the slightest sign of confusion, never once losing his composure. Plus, him and I even got to play in one football game because a team showed up with too few players. Now, I will not go into details of that game because it was not pretty, but regardless it was fun. Despite observing him work his job and getting to play in a game of football with him, the truly unforgettable moment came on the day we were leaving for here. I was simply walking down the street after dropping off some laundry, which Andrea and I needed cleaned for our trip, and I ran into Chris on the street in Hoboken. He was supposed to be working in his Manhattan office and I had thought I had said my goodbyes, but I think he told his boss he had to drop off a check or something back in Hoboken just in attempt to try to see me one last time. The encounter was brief, nothing more than a few minutes, but my Brother showed me his respect and how much he cared for me more in those few minutes than I think he had before. I do not want to make it seem my Brother has never done special things for me, but this moment was like those you see at the end of a movie. It will never be forgotten and I hope my Brother knows what an amazing person he is and how happy I am that he has found something he is nothing but spectacular at and really does love to do.
I have rambled on so much I will get into me and Andrea’s flight and our first couple days in Prague in my next post. Don’t miss it because I do have a lot to share already and I am sure by the time I post again there will be much more. Once again, I am forever grateful to each and every one of you who helped Andrea and I achieve our trip of a lifetime. Thank you.