Moved

Last night I came home to a little red, white and blue, Priority Mail envelope. 

I wasn't really thinking about what might be inside.  I order a lot of things through the mail so I was thinking it was probably my latest little Etsy treasure.  Then I saw the return address. "US Government Official Mail."

My heart skipped a beat.  I didn't expect the emotion.  It's just a document technically.  I ripped open the envelope and pulled out the most exciting little blue book in the world!  My very first US passport!

 
I opened it up and saw the first few pages with my name, place of birth and photo and I was moved. I'm not sure I can really explain it, but I felt such gratitude.  Gratefulness to the point of tears.  I felt gratitude for the gift of this trip.  Gratitude for my health to enjoy it.  Gratitude for the security I feel in my life that allows me such blessings.  Gratitude that I live in this beautiful country and am free to visit another country if I so choose.  Grateful that my passport arrived without delay or complication so that I will be able to experience a trip of a lifetime. I knew at that very moment that this little blue book would be taking me on more amazing journeys, that this was just the beginning...