Cherish the Moments

Sometimes life is filled with great joy, and other times not so much

One of the reasons that I enjoy this business of helping people with vacation planning is that it brings much happiness into my life. Helping people better enjoy their Honeymoon, Destination Wedding, Anniversary or Family vacation is a very rewarding business to be in - sharing in the creation of memories for people that will last a lifetime. Additionally it brings me into contact with a great number of people connecting with them on a deeper level...making new friends....sharing smiles.

Today though, I am filled with great sadness for a man who I consider to be a friend, a couple that I consider to be clients, and a lovely family that has been stuck by the deepest of tragedies - once again sudden and at the end of a firearm.

I do not, nor do I hope to ever know the intimate details of what happened yesterday in an affluent community on a gorgeous summer day, and this is not a politically pointed post - just something I have to relate....cherish every moment with your loved ones for you never know which will be the last.

Unbelievably this is the 2nd time this year that gun violence has struck down an EZTravelPad client- one completely random and the other apparently much less so.

As I sit here this morning perusing the photo entries sent in by clients for our photo contest ending in a couple of days I am taken with them on their dream vacation- sharing their joys, and it is very rewarding, yet it also reminds me of how fleeting those joys can be. A few months ago I awoke to the news of the senseless murder of a Honeymoon client - a husband and expectant father. Today I awaken to the news of another tragic loss of a beautiful young lady who was a daughter, a mother, a sister and a teacher. It's not been so long ago that I was helping this family plan their Disney vacation. In both instances their loved ones are left with only memories.

Tragedies are an inevitable part of the human condition - nothing we, or anyone does is going to alleviate great sorrows... we will all expereince them on vastly different levels, but what we can do is endeavor to make sure that those sorrows are outnumbered by great joys. How?

• Do things together (with your friends, family and acquaintances) - all sorts of things!
• Experience new places
• Connect at deeper levels with your loved ones
• Enjoy each other's company

I can do very little at this point for the family and friends left behind- a note, a card, a gesture, far too little. That said, I hope that at some level I already did something for them.... by helping make their last big vacation together more memorable for the loved ones left behind. I hope their pain is soon replaced by fond memories. I hope that this is the last time I awaken to such news.

Wishing you all Peace, Love & Hope-

Scott