When we were asked several years ago if we would like a ride to Europe I did not think they were serious even though they are extended family on my husband’s side.  At the time our little one was about a year old and they were inquiring about the following spring.  They kept inviting us until I finally realized they actually meant it.  I allowed myself to entertain the idea but told them I had no clue as to what a toddler would be like and I was worried she might disrupt their peaceful holiday.  They were not concerned so we prayed it would all go smoothly.  I could not believe we were really going to go!  I was not lucky enough to aquire a passport until I was 35; my little one got hers before she was even a year and a half.  I believe this was the largest jet they had at the small, private airport where we went.  We had two pilots and a flight attendant who could not have been nicer; the next thing I knew we were in the air.  No scary safety spiel, no “fasten your seatbelts,” no “bing bong; cross-check, prepare for take off,” and no slow ascent.  It was like a rocket only whisper quiet, seamlessly smooth, and not frightening at all!  Right away I had champagne sparkling in a cut crystal glass pressed into my hands.  As we toasted our trip cool maps appeared on the television screens detailing our flight path.  I got a goodie bag filled with useful and fancy things and I started pulling them out one by one like a kid opening presents on Christmas day.  Among what I can remember, my little black bag contained a personal mirror with magnifier, hand lotion, a small travel perfume, minted rose lip balm and, something I had never seen before, “paper soap.”  Hot towels were presented for our hands before we were served dinner from silver trays on china.  We all got to have our food custom-ordered and it was everything I loved.  Mixed nuts rested in bowls on the sides of the burled walnut lined aircraft.  Our chairs were spacious and comfortable; swiveling and reclining, and we each had our own window.  A couple of sofas flanked the middle of the plane and could be converted into beds.  I think Burk and I were too excited to sleep.  Toward the back they had a table, chairs, and banquette.  Behind that were curtains which took us through a galley complete with a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and cabinets that I can recall.  And the lavatory!  It was all mirrored and marbled and so spacious it was unbelievable!  I still cannot get over it!  Conservatively I would say it was six times the size of a regular airplane facility.  The American personal trainer Greg Anderson said, “Focus on the journey, not the destination.  Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”  The greatest joy for us on this trip was found in the time we spent with family focusing on the journey.