January 17, 2025

Good morning!

It’s Friday, and we have a stowaway.

Our plane had barely reached its cruising altitude when I felt a thud at my feet. I looked down and found Bedside Bear freshly tumbled from my carry-on bag and heading for my foot.

I’d asked Duckie if he wanted to come with us, but he was in the midst of a heated cribbage tournament with the crows and couldn’t get away. Little did I know, Bear had been longing for adventure.

He’s definitely making the seven-hour flight go by fast. Who knew such a small bear could ask so many questions? How does the plane stay in the air? I’m not really sure. How does radar work? No idea. What’s the difference between jet fuel and regular fuel? Uhhhh... Never have I felt quite so uninformed.

But now the captain has turned on the fasten-seatbelt signs for our final descent towards the continent and beloved country and city that’ll be our home and refuge for the next month. Since we’re taking this journey in stages, adjusting as we go, I’ll tell you more about our destination tomorrow. Although I suspect some of you, especially those who’ve been reading the Respite for a while, might have a pretty good guess.

“We cannot stay home all our lives, we must present ourselves to the world and we must look upon it as an adventure.”

—Beatrix Potter

Respiteers, shall we gather at 2pm EST to discuss where we are right now, literally and metaphorically? As always check your inbox right before the hour.

Onwards we go,

Clara