T- Minus 2 Days

In just 2 days, we will board our 16 hour flight to begin what is sure to be “an adventure of a lifetime”. Excitement is an understatement. Sadness is also heavily present. For the past few days, as I have been focusing in on getting everything ready, I have wanted to speak to my parents or my aunt more times than I can begin to tell you. I want to share with them all of the things I have been doing to prepare for this trip. To tell them how amazing it has been to spend so much time with Sakai here, in my world. But I can’t. The searing pain in my heart lingers each and every day. They aren’t all bad days though. I do have good ones. The nightmares are still present, but not as they were. Tolerable, is how I answer when Sakai asks me about them. 

Sakai flew in three weeks ago. It was a last minute decision for him to come spend time with me and my family here, at my home. This time has been beyond amazing. The friendships between Marc, Ari, and Sakai have been amazing to watch develop. He is now and forever a part of my family. The downside is that they all gang up on me and call me out on my shit….That seriously must stop. Or one or more of them is not going to make it through the next 6+ weeks. 
It has been so much fun playing tour guide here in SF, and for a few days in Vegas with Sakai. The laughs are never ending. This just may be the most important friendship I will ever have. Maybe for him too. I’ve been just as important to him as he has been for me. It’s something I will treasure forever. I just wish my parents could have met him. But I think it was meant to be this way. I truly believe he was sent to help me deal with this tragedy. 
I’ve pretty much stayed true to my three outfit rule. Though Sakai insisted on extra underwear. He didn’t like my idea of turning them inside out. I guess he never went to sleep away camp….He has gone through what I have packed several times and keeps taking out what he calls the “non-essential” items. We have very different ideas as to what is “essential”….I feel sorry for him when I don’t have my hair products, soft tissues (trust me that is the most important item! It’s worse than sandpaper over there when you can even find some), or more bug spray just to name a few, and he is on the receiving end of my whining. (I know he will completely ignore it). Somehow, I’m sure I will survive without them though. Well, not the soft tissues. Those are most definitely going back in. It’s amazing how much lighter my pack is compared to my last trip. And this time it is essential. I (Marc and Sakai) will be carrying it almost everyday as we journey on to the next location. 
I am so excited to share this new adventure with you all. It is going to be different than my last one. Don’t worry, It will be as adventurous, if not more! I am most excited to share it with the three most important people in my life. The three children I will be traveling with. Trust me when I say that. I can see it already….
Planes, trains, automobiles, buses, motorcycles, bicycles, helicopters, and boats :
HERE WE COME!!!!!!!