Living life outloud. Being fearless. It has to be a decision, right? You can’t just float through life; you have to take the reins, write your own story. I decided my story has to start including more exploring, more adventure and that would have to include flying. It was time to deal with my fear of flying. So, this weekend, I held my best friend’s hand, breathed through a lot of anxiety and we met my daughter in Atlanta for the weekend.
Every city has its own flavor and Midtown Atlanta is no exception. I love my little beach town, but I had forgotten how magical diversity is. To experience new sights and sounds, different accents, fashions and ideas was intoxicating.
We walked to The Flying Bisquet for breakfast the first morning down Peach Street as apple blossom trees, overhanging the sidewalk, showered us with velvety petals like confetti. The hip little eatery was jam-packed with people–some already dressed in funky St. Patty’s day attire–mouth-watering scents and conversations. The food was delicious but the fulfilling part was sitting in that kind of atmosphere, soaking in the creativity of everyone. It truly fed my soul.
That evening, we draped ourselves in plastic green beads, flashy St. Pattty’s day buttons, green glitter and headed to Ri Ra’s Irish Pub for their live music, fish & chips and green beer. We had some great conversations, laughed, people watched…and let me say, people are happy on St. Patty’s day! It is now my new favorite holiday.
It was only a weekend. We only got to walk around the edges of Atlanta, only got to stick a toe in the surface, connect on a level that left me wanting to dig deeper, taste more. There were moments I wanted to savor, moments I wanted to entangled my fingers with, hold on to; then there were places that were dark that I wanted to ignore but couldn’t…a row of homeless tents on the sidewalk, an abandoned building next to an expensive hotel where addictions are fed. But it was a weekend I will never forget, shared with two of the coolest people in my life.
Oh, and just to prove to you how cool my daughter is, she actually ordered oysters for breakfast the next morning. Seriously, for breakfast?! Gotta love her.
I wish I could say I’m over my fear of flying, but it has definitely lost some of its grip on me and I will get back on a plane again. There’s too many cities out there to explore.
Too many adventures await.
So, where will your next adventure be?
Love it Shannon – sounds like an all around fantastic weekend and so proud of you for facing one of your fears. The fear might never go away but at least you are going to be less likely to let it hold you back in life – and isn’t that exactly what courage is! Facing your fears anyway!
WOOT WOOT! And your daughter is THE coolest!!!
My next adventure…hmmmm…in a couple weeks we’ll head back to Punta Cana for a 2 week vacation/adventure and I can’t WAIT! 🙂
Thanks, Nat! ooo…can’t wait to read about your adventures in Punta Cana!
Hi Shannon! Sounds like an awesome weekend. I hear you about the flying–I am the same way. We have a huge family trip planned in the summer–overseas. It’s a 12 hr plane ride. I have to keep reminding myself how lucky I am to go, and all the things I will see, because I am already feeling nervous.
But you are right–there are too many places that I don’t want to miss out on–and I can’t drive to them all! 🙂
A few things that really helped me on the flight…distraction by talking while taking off, making sure I wasn’t repeating scary things in my head..and of course, a glass of wine 🙂 You’re going to have an amazing adventure!
Good for you, Shannon! I’m so glad you were able to have a fun get-away and experience life as others live it.
Oysters for breakfast – hmmmm. I don’t think so.
And funny that a street named “Peach” would be lined with apple trees. Some things are just goofy that way.
Get out there and see more stuff. I’m waiting for a report.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
It would be fun to post a monthy adventure!
“apple blossom trees, overhanging the sidewalk, showered us with velvety petals like confetti”
So pretty. Hey, you’re not a writer, are you????
Glad to hear you had a fabulous time but -GAK – oysters for breakfast????? (She’s a brave one.)
-Cathy
Ha, Cathy 🙂 I have to agree, thanks for stopping by!
Yay Shannon! Great to see you! Great to have you back! Great to be reading your blog!
Sorry it took me a couple of days to come by. I was in a funk Monday and yesterday I needed to write a blog. You know how that is, right? But it’s spring Shannon! And the flowers are blooming over at my place and I wrote the post with you in mind my friend!
I’m so glad that you got to spend the weekend with your daughter! Worth flying on a plane, eh?
Take care Shannon! See ya soon! 🙂
Sounds like a wonderful weekend Shannon. I’m so glad you set your fear of flying aside long enough to reach your daughter and share such fun with her. I’m fearful of flying too but not because I’m afraid of crashing (though of course that nibbles at my mind), but because I’m claustrophobic and to be “stuck” in a place I can’t just walk out of terrifies me. I’ve only flown twice – well, four times I guess since it was round trips – and both times had to take nerve pills, which thankfully helped.
So glad you posted this, it’s lovely and inspires me to try different cities now and then instead of always going to the beach. That said, Savannah and Tybee Island is one of the greatest vacations I’ve ever taken – beautiful town with simply gracious folks there. And I love the Gulf Coast too.
Now I”m wanting to take a road trip! 🙂