Time to Travel Tess...

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You're off to Great Places!
You're off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You're on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the girl who'll decide where to go.

You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.

It's opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don't worry. Don't stew.
Just go right along.
You'll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

As your older brother, and specifically one that prides himself on the influence I have had on your life :), I wanted to give you a gift that made you realize just how much you have done the same for me.

Your courage.
Your passion.
Your ability to live a life with purpose.
Your willingness to live a life worth living.

They are inspirational.
You are an inspiration.

Now is your time.
Now is your moment to explore.
Now is the moment you open yourself up to another world, because I assure you that everyone you encounter will open themselves up to you.

I ask one thing...

Bring us with you.
Share your moments. Share your encounters. Share your thoughts.
Let us continue to be influenced by the beauty and love that is Tessi.

Yes I know this is your blog, and therefore I will only take up a bit more room in your digital space.

But it's to share this final thought...

You have a natural harmony.
You have an ability to ride the waves that are all around you.
Listen to them.
Feel them.
Let them wash over you.
Let them wash away the urge to hold on.
Now is not the time to hold on. It's the time to jump on and see where you'll go.
Oh the Places You'll Go...

I have always found the easiest way to ride these waves, especially while traveling is with music.
You'll find what works best for you.
In the meantime, I've prepared a mix of Travelin' Tunes for Tess:

Disc 1:

• Never Been to Spain-Three Dog Night (Album: Harmony)
• Series of Dreams-Bob Dylan (Album: Bootleg Series Vols. 1-3)
• Time to Move On-Tom Petty (Album: Wildflowers)
• Feelin' Alright-Traffic (Album: Traffic)
• We're from Barcelona-I'm from Barcelona (Album: Let Me Introduce My Friends)
• Lady in Spain-Ingrid Michaelson (Album: Be OK)
• Spain-Rodrigo (Album: Gypsy Kings & Queens)
• Life By the Drop-Stevie Ray Vaughn (Album: Essential)
• In God's Country-U2 (Album: Joshua Tree)
• Ain't No Reason-Brett Dennen (Album: So Much More)
• Time to Pretend-MGMT (Album: Oracular Spectacular)
• Mean Old World-Duane Allman & Eric Clapton (Album: Layla Sessions)
• Across the Universe-Beatles (Album: Let It Be...Naked)
• Ooh La La-Faces (Album: Ooh La La)

Disc 2:

• Star Spangled Banner-Jimi Hendrix (Album: Ultimate Experience)
• Chicago-Sufjan Stevens (Album: Come On Feel the Illinoise)
• Change-Blind Melon (Album: Change)
• Ocean-John Butler Trio (Album: Live at St. Gallen)
• Euro Trash Girl-Cracker (Album: Kerosene Hat)
• Can You Hear the Music-Rolling Stones (Album: Goats Head Soup)
• Song of Our Country-Miles Davis (Album: Sketches of Spain)
• Holiday in Spain-Counting Crows (Album: Films About Ghosts)
• Seville-Justin King (Album: Le Bleu)
• One Big Holiday-My Morning Jacket (Album: It Still Moves)
• Can't Find My Way Home-Blind Faith (Album: Blind Faith)
  

I love you Tess.
And remember-

"Don't let your silly dreams, fall in between, the crack of the bed and the wall."

Love,

Lance