Bon Voyage

My granddaughter, Bree, is leaving shortly for three weeks in Europe. She is travelling with another family and is... Oh! So excited!

I am filled with gratitude for this opportunity she has...it will be an experience she will never forget. Already a seasoned traveller, having visited Venezuela, Mexico and the South Pacific... at the tender age of thirteen, she will add Scotland, England, France and Italy to her repertoire.

As happy as I am for her, I am also filled with trepidation and apprehension, at times. She will be a long way away. If I allow myself, in my imagination, I can have her in all sorts of trouble in no time.

Bree is the first Sagittarius in my life. She is way different from the Cancer, Pisces, Taurus signs that are the norm around me. She loves cheerful people, places and things, becoming sad and cynical if life is not so. Never still, she loves to visit friends and family on weekends and holidays. She dislikes being alone, becoming restless when she can't find something to do.

And she needs her freedom...a true Sagittarius. A fire sign. A true optimist. She can be brutally honest, as Sags are...words flowing from her long before she realizes they may be inappropriate. But she expects the same honesty in return, from others...backed by sound, reasonable logic, the only proviso.

From one of the websites about Sagittarius, I read their motto is "It is better to know how to learn than to know." And Bree will seek her knowledge in countries in which I have little experience...what could I possibly say to her that she will remember? Me...a Pisces...a Water sign.

Water can put out a fire or it can temper the flame. I could not forgive myself if somehow, by my words, I put out the bright blaze that is burning now, because of my own fear for her.

And so, my advice for her, on this momentous journey she will be undertaking, is to do nothing she will be ashamed of, later, in her memories. I will tell her to weigh the pros and cons of a thing, I will tell her to be as cautious as she can be, in all those different countries, with different customs. I will tell her to remember her manners.

I will tell her homesickness is suffered by most, but to realize, if she feels sick for home and familiar things, three weeks will fly by. Each day wasted by thinking and feeling sad for home will be a day she will not be able to experience or appreciate new sights and customs she may never visit again.

Although, knowing Bree and her plans for her life, it will not be long before I must let her go more often than I would like, in the future. But she knows I will always be here, when she returns from an expedition...here to listen and advise, if it is called for.

Water can soothe fiery feelings, as well.

Bon Voyage, my dear Bree...I cannot wait to hear about the people and the customs you will experience! You will do us all so proud, as you always do, no matter what.

And don't forget Gray's Edinburgh Rock!