Far Away but the Heart is near

My sweet family:

As I lay here in the Dominican tonight, I can't help but remember the memories of the holidays back home. My family is amazing, fun, dysfunctional, weird, loving, and crazy at times. These things are what makes us UNIQUE and FAMILY. I think of all the holiday dinners we had at my grandmas, cousins, and aunts. It was full of stuffing ourselves to the rim. Wait, I'm sure my family did that today :). As kids my cousins and I would play outside, watch the Macey day parade, and be carefree kids. Also a lot of football would be played on the TV down in the den with men surrounding it. We love sports. Well most of us do, minus my mom. We still love her anyways. It was a time we were happy and together. 

The day after thanksgiving we would go back to my grandparents to eat left overs and put up the tree. I loved these memories of putting the tree together. My momma Hattie was always so proud of her tree. Her and my Papaw would drink coffee and stare into the lights. Momma Hattie would also sometimes play Christmas songs on the piano. It was a precious time with family. 

The past few years my mom and I would serve at the local church to serve families. I loved doing this. Because we are blessed with much, we can then bless others. My mom has the biggest servants heart. It always was great to see someone's face light up because they were blessed with a meal on thanksgiving. 

The few memories I share here with you today makes me very thankful for the family I have. I have learned that regardless of where we are in life family is still family. They never change. I maybe out of the country working, I know that they enjoyed today and support my decisions of my new career. 

I am here today living a dream because of my families constant support and encouragement. They may have thought I was CRAZY at times with wanting to be a flight attendant. But they always stood by my side. They have encouraged me, prayed for me, loved me, and been there thru it all. And if you know me or my story, they have put up with a lot :). I may not be home for Thanksgiving but I know they are behind me through it all. I am grateful for them. 

The memories are still strong and always will be there. But now new memories are coming. New days to celebrate when I am around. I cherish time with my family!!!! 

Regardless if you are or not with family, embrace the journey. Love your life right where you are. 

Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful!!! 

New Seasons, New Life

Today I have been sorting through my past few months. I have wanted to blog for sometime but I also wanted to get through Flight Attendant Training before I really went into detail of my life. I kept my close friends and family in the loop of my new life. So today others can fully hear what the past few months have been like.

I'm going to share a little back story first:
A friend of mines mom contacted me about applying for American Airlines because her youngest daughter loved it. I began to pursue it. I became very discouraged this past winter because I had not heard a thing from them. My mom told me to continue pursuing other airlines. But I was set on American or I wasn't going to do it. Me stubborn? NEVER ;). In April American called me to see if I was still interested. Of Course! I told the recruiter. I was beside myself. I didn't tell anyone about it until I knew something. They called for an interview in June. Then my life changed dramatically on June 24, 2014.

                                                         This was the day we were hired!!

On September 20, 2015 my journey to Dallas, Texas began. I was excited, anxious, nervous, happy, but still had a little fear that I wouldn't make it through the training. Its definitely not an easy training. As I explained to my mom, its harder than getting my college degree. We took 16 tests and really unsure about how many drill proficiencies we had. Long days, late nights in class or studying, and early mornings. On the first day of class they said "WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN FAMILY." I didn't know what to really think of this statement until I realized we are REALLY family. Your classmates become family and best friends. Your instructors become family, your biggest cheerleaders, and encourager's on the line. They are like having another mom or dad to look up too. American Airlines is a big family. We go through hell together during training, but its worth every bit of it. And if you've been through American Airlines FA training you get me!

During training I met two girls who would later become my best friends. They are the ones who got me through training with the encouragement, class notes, long walks, exploring Dallas, and just being there on the hard days. I prayed that I would make one good friend during my time. Well it was doubled into two amazing women. We come from different walks of life but that's what makes it work. I am thankful for their friendship. And it worked out that we are all three in Miami also. Thank you for helping me through training and learning things on the line now.

Always a good time. 

You know that sometimes you can have a really bad roommate situation? My roommate ended up being a christian, and a wonderful woman. She was starting her second career. Learning from her wisdom and life experiences was great for me to see. I'm always eager to hear life stories, hear wisdom in how I can become a better person. Stacey was a great example of this. She put up with living me in a small hotel room for a whole 6.5 weeks. She was a saint. Thankful for a God fearing woman who loved me right where I was. She always made sure I was okay.

                                                               Where are your glasses Stacey???

I had incredible instructors. Each of the instructors played a special role in my life. They truly choose the best of the best to teach the new Flight Attendants coming through. Instructors are responsible for "MAKING US GREAT". They put in more hours than we do in many ways. They teach us the skills to go out on the line and be great. I am grateful for each of them. Randy was our lead instructor. He was a hoot. He made me like Halloween for the first time in 29 years. He decorated the room and had an awesome rat as our class mascot. His nick name became Crusty Rusty. Goodness he kept the class together. He was incredible. My sweet, sweet Denise was like a momma to me. She held me as I cried, listened to my frustrations, laughed when I would walk up because of my randomness, always giving a willing hug, there for advice. She was the momma of the class. I want to be like her when I grow up! Rachel became a big sister to me. I knew by the first week that she was the real deal. I first saw a bracelet she wore everyday with the writing "My God is Big Enough." I had actually prayed for a Christian person in the class. And quickly it became evident that my instructor was. She listened to my struggles. She gave hugs when I was a mess and didn't know if I could make it another step. She loved to RUN! This was another instant connection. I was thankful to have Rachel's constant support even after training. Tyra, Oh Trya! Through her example she brought my standard from just average to excellent. Everything she did was "perfect", maybe not perfect but done with excellence. She kept the class together with keeping the standard high. Tyra is a consistent person in her job. She taught us to tie our scarfs, do our hair, reminded us to wear our lips. That was one thing I love about the job. I love my pink and red lips! She always gave a willing hug, especially after a test. She knew that test was a struggle for me.  I knew she would be proud when I would score my tests.

Thank you for making us GREAT! I am so thankful for this opportunity and the people who made it possible to be where I am today. God was walking me through each day and each moment. He gave me the strength to overcome and do my best. I am so thankful.

Rusty Crusty

Momma Denise

Such a big sister Rachel

My Perfect Tyra 

As the Life of a Flight Attendant I will write more about. I'll share the places I go. What God is doing through this journey. And much more.

Our Perspective of Ourselves

Over the last 6 weeks or so I've met many incredible people. But as the time comes to an end and some of us will split ways, but one person stands out to me. I don't believe in coincidences but believe that God brings certain people in our life to teach you something valuable. This has happened in my journey over the past 6 weeks.

I share often about my recovery journey and how its still a struggle at times. Its like any addiction, its there and it knows how to knock you down. There are definite times where it's easy and I'm content. And other times where I am holding on by one thread. During any of these times, I truly have to trust God to bring peace into these areas. Also having constant support from family and friends.

Back to the person who stands out from the past 6 weeks. We have become relatively close over the past month. She's also quiet a bit younger than myself but yet so CONFIDENT!! I had not mentioned any of my struggles to my friend but watched her. She enjoyed food, didn't have crazy anxiety at meals, she even ate DESSERTS...This is almost a NO NO in my life. Marissa is even a VEGETARIAN!!! But healthy. She lives an example of someone I truly want to become.

Watching Marissa has not only been inspiring but intriguing in how comfortable she is in her own skin. She doesn't find her identity in what size her jeans are, or the size of her shirts. Marissa's confidence radiates a mile away. She was eating a cookie today and I made a comment of "I took a bite but had to throw it away." She responds to me with "If it makes you happy, don't worry about the calories or being fat." I was like such truth in that. Why not enjoy a cookie or two or five.

And let me tell you my friend is BEAUTIFUL!!! She's perfect because she is comfortable in her own skin. Marissa is not big at all. She's actually tiny. But she doesn't hold back on what she eats. Her life isn't controlled by what comes next with the meal. She embraces it.

Couldn't we ALL learn from my friend with embracing ourselves and how God made each of us! I will forever be thankful for the influence she has had on my life. Its beautiful knowing that you can live comfortable in your own skin. I know that I am different because of her friendship and example that she lives.

Marissa sent this to me today. It made me smile when I saw this. Let go of the labels and be whoever you want to be!!!! Once we learn to accept ourselves, others will accept us also.