Trip with my dad

I went away with my father in March. We went for two and a half weeks.  Saudi Arabia for a trip to Mecca and then over to Istanbul. My mom and sister watched the kids for me, and I had a friend step I one night too (thanks Farah!) :).  It was a lovely trip and my dad and I got a lot closer.  In fact. I learned that he's a pretty cool guy, and a pretty awesome dad.  I'm really glad I was given the opportunity to travel with him. 

Saudi Arabia was a calming trip for me.  I made peace with a lot of things.  Things I never thought I would let go of.  Like my ex.  Like the abuse.  Like the fact that I was completely unwilling to love or trust again.  I no longer hate my ex.  I prayed for him.  Genuinely.  Sincerely.  I prayed for my friends, for my family.  I prayed for the ability to love and trust again.  For the ability to finally move on. 

And you know what?   I think I will.  For the first time in my life, I think I can move on.  I think I can love again. I think I can be happy. Happy without looking for everyone's agenda.  Happy without a guard up.  

I know. 10 years was a long wait.  But with the 10 year anniversary of my divorce just over a week away, it's almost fitting.  

I look forward to the future.  And I thank my father.  For being a great man.  For encouraging me to make the trip.  But most of all, I thank him for that day when we stood outside the mosque and he put his arm around me and said  "I brought you here to make peace.  Sometimes bad things happen to great people.  That's part of life.  But it's ok to move on now. It's ok to let it go and be happy". 

I love my father.  And I will take his message to heart.  

Thank you daddy.