When One Door Closes . . . Keep Dreaming!

Last night I sadly learned that my trip to England had been cancelled.

Just a few short hours before I got the email, my passport arrived.

And a day and a half earlier I had made my flight reservations.

Doors close. They always do.

And while the airline cannot refund our airplane tickets, at least we hadn't made hotel reservations, tour arrangements, and other costly plans that we might not have been able to rearrange.

At this time it doesn't make sense for us to go to England solely on a whim. Our time will come, but as of today we feel strongly that we should postpone any additional or new travel plans. That could always change, but I need some more time to absorb the news.

Don't get me wrong. I am devastated. This would have been my first trip outside the U.S. I've pinned every London and Paris site I wanted to see. I poured over possible tours we might take every free minute I could spare. I spent hours and hours trying to select the perfect hotel location at a price point we could afford. I bugged every friend in the area that I could think of to help answer questions (thanks, Shimelle!).

It just didn't work out.

Funny. Just a few days ago I was in the midst of going over the plans, and I got a little emotional that one of my childhood dreams was about to come true. I admit it. I shed a few tears of happiness at the thought of all those magical wishes being granted.

But today I shed a few tears over an opportunity lost.

I'm very grateful to have been extended the opportunity. I'm so, so sad that it didn't work out.

But it did teach me that sometimes our dreams are far more obtainable that we think. That sometimes we talk ourselves out of things because of money issues, or time constraints. And while those are real and legitimate reasons not to do something, sometimes many of those items can be worked out over time.

I'm determined to go to England, to visit France, to experience all that the world has to offer. It's just going to be on different terms than I had originally planned.

And now, at the least, I have a passport.

Thanks for all the well wishes, and shared excitement. It meant the world to me that people understood and shared in my happiness. You're the best!




35 comments

  1. I'm so sorry that the trip to the UK didn't work out but your optimism is inspiring. Yes, as soon as one door closes another one does open up. Lots of hugs headed your way!

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  2. If you got you passport and you have everything planned one day you'll just need to get tickets and go, right? So you are half way there.

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    1. You are so right. Now I can go anywhere. :)

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  3. Oh No! I'm Sorry to hear this but I thank you for your great words of strength and encouragement! You will get your dream trip I just know it!

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  4. I'm gutted for you. I'd planned on bringing you to lunch in Stratford-upon-Avon and visit Shakespeare. We WILL do it another time. You WILL get to see all that the world has to offer. Right now the world is offering you something different and although it's not what you thought. It might just be the break that you need. It WILL happen. Doors close but they also open. Hugs Hun! xx

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    1. Ali, you have always been the loveliest friend to me. Hugs to you as well. :)

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  5. Oh Jen I'm so sorry...I could tell how much you were looking forward to going. :( Can you not change the plane tickets to a different date so that you can eventually use them and not lose your money? I'm so very sad for you...

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  6. Jen, I always think in the situations of the kind - when something bad happens it means that something really good will happen soon instead! It's life balance! When you have lost something you will definitely get something even better soon!

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  7. So sad to hear your disappointing news. :( It will happen one day and when it does you'll have your to do list and passport ready! <3 hugs

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  8. So sorry Jen! That stinks, you know that when one door closes another one opens. I'll be anxiously awaiting the day when you are able to say another door has opened!! Hugs my sweet friend! You've been a blessing to so many people (including me) There ARE good things coming your way :)

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  9. hugs Jen. So they can't refund your airline tickets, but will they give you credit to rebook somewhere else? that seems so unfair if they don't.

    I haven't been outside the US (except Canada) and dream of the day I finally get too. One door opens for sure!!

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  10. Oh Jen I am so sorry. You have a very good outlook and are a roll model for so many! I am praying for you and your family. England and Paris are also on my bucket wish list. Sending hugs.

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  11. So very sad and disappointing, especially with the airfare not being refundable and all the dreams you had of places to visit. Hopefully someday soon you'll get to do the trip you'd hoped for and it will be all the sweeter. ((((hugs))))

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  12. Wait.... so you lost all the money you put out for the airplane?! That's a horrible pill to swallow on top of not getting to go... Major hugs!!!

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  13. I'm so sorry to read this :(

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  14. Jen, I am just sick for you. :( It's probably best that I hadn't had time to email you yet about all the fun things to do & see there--that would just be rubbing salt in the wound. I do hope there's some way to recoup the cost of your airfare!

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    1. At some point we should still talk as I WILL get there someday. :)

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  15. I'm so sorry Jen x
    I am one of the English delegates who had booked & paid for this event & I was so excited that we would be meeting , now I have no money or weekend :(
    When you do make it to England seek me out & I'll show you all I love about my homeland xxx

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    1. Sheena,
      You are so sweet! We'll definitely have to meet up some time.

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  16. Jen- I have had a few of these moments too. And so has my daughter. Of course at 16- any bad news is devasting, right? lol..But, the one thing I try to remember and something I have tried to teach my daughter..is that 'there must be a REASON' why you weren't supposed to go. I believe that with all my heart. There is always 'that reason'. And we may never know what that reason is, but nevertheless, I personally feel God protects us even when we don't feel there is anything wrong. HE protects us continually, graciously and powerfully. I hope maybe that helps heal the hurt some. But, there is a 'reason' why you weren't supposed to travel, leave home...something. Big hugs ~ Janet

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  17. I am so sorry you aren't hopping on that plane like you planned. Truly, the cities will wait for you. You will get there. My husband and I saved and planned for many years before heading to Europe. I completely understand how hard waiting on your dreams can be, we endured two failed adoptions before being blessed with a new baby girl 9 weeks ago. Waiting and planning and anticipating only makes it all that much sweeter in the end. Big hugs to you! xo

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    1. Amy congrats on your new baby girl!

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  18. We would have loved for you to come and visit our lovely country. One day...and please do some workshops when you are here!

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  19. There's always a bed in Germany for you, if you like :-D Norther Germany ain't England, but we are pretty close ;-)

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  20. JLBOhio9:31 PM

    So sorry that your trip fell through. I hope that you get to see Europe soon! You seem like such a good person and you have such a great attitude about it! I'm sure that you will get there sometime and it will be better than it would have been if you had gone now.

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