A Month of Traveling, Freedom and Dreams Come True

When I think about the month of July, it always brings me beautiful memories and it comes with many special celebrations as well as reflection opportunities. 

This year, America marked 250 years of independence. This milestone is a reminder of the courage, resilience, and hope that have shaped this remarkable nation. It also honors all of the brave immigrants who leave everything behind to work hard, adapt, and build their dreams here.

For me, July reminds me of my own journey.  Many years ago, I arrived in this amazing country on the 4th of July with nothing more than a bag filled with dreams and a heart full of youth, curiosity and hope. The United States has given me opportunities I could never have imagined without it, and it has played an important role in shaping the woman I am today.  It is a blessing I never take for granted, and I remain grateful for the journey. 

Speaking of dreams, this month of July, I realized one that had been on my heart for a long time: visiting Ireland.  

What a magical country it is!  Everywhere I looked, I saw God’s work revealed in breathtaking landscapes, rolling in different shades of green hills, enchanting coastlines, and miles of peaceful countryside. The rock walls reveal the hard work and endurance of the Irish people whose resiliency is ingrained in each blood cell they carry.  It was my first visit, and it was also a meaningful journey for my husband, Mike, as it was his first time returning without Maria, his beloved late wife.  

During our trip, we spent precious time with some of Mike and Maria’s family and friends while also creating wonderful memories with our daughters.  It was a journey filled with love, remembrance, laughter, excitement and connection.  

Ireland reminded me of something we often forget in our busy lives: the beauty of being fully present.  There is a simplicity to life there that invited me to slow down, breathe and appreciate my time there. Every person I met was kind, welcoming, and genuinely helpful.  The country was remarkably clean, peaceful, and with a display of colorful flowers welcoming our souls, making every experience feel even more magical in the garden of life. 

I did not feel or come across any fairies during my time in Ireland but certainly experienced the beauty of their homes and spaces to honor the non-physical existence. Unique legends of Irish folklore exist in the hearts of so many of us who still believe in the magical world of the fairies, gnomes and leprechauns. Although I did not see any leprechaun with my own eyes, we had the opportunity to experience the traditions of Irish culture at the Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, which was certainly memorable.  

As I reflect on this month, I am reminded that freedom is both a national celebration and a personal blessing. It gives us the power to dream, to begin again, to welcome new experiences, and to hold our loved ones close. At the same time, we must remember that freedom is not free. I stand in gratitude for the brave men and women who gave their lives to protect this nation and our way of life.

My invitation to you is simple: pause for a moment.  Connect to your heart.  Reflect on your journey.  Reach out to someone you love.  Share a meal, a conversation, or a quiet walk together and be grateful for the moment. 

There is truly nothing like the present moment.  It is where gratitude grows, relationships are felt, and life’s greatest blessings are found.