The drive behind the journey

Today my father would have been 58. It's hard to believe that it's been nearly 11 years since his tragic passing. He is the driving force for me to be the amazing person he believed me to be. He was a great, charismatic, generous and powerful being. He and my mother discovered the island of Roatan in 1994 when traveling around the world. They met a man, Captain Alex, in Belize during their travels who told them they must go to Roatan....and, so, they did. They immediately fell in love with the island and the people there. They purchased 3 acres and I went for the first time 1995. I, like my father, immediately felt the islands magic. In 1997 my father negotiated to purchase the adjacent 4.5 acres. When he called and asked if I wanted to go 1/2's with him I was arranging for the money before he was done asking the question!

Through the next decade, my parents spent several months of the year on the island building a home for themselves but also making differences in the lives of the less fortunate.

When hurricane Mitch hit the island, my father arranged for a truckload of donated goods to be shipped to provide for the families that lost everything. At Christmas time, he and my mother would dress up as Mr. and Mrs. Claus and ride around on his quad with a garbage bag full of candy and toys....giving to all the children who had only known Santa as a picture or drawing on the pages of a book. My mother, being a nurse, helped many people as well.
I, like my parents, am a humanitarian by nature. Doing, giving and helping others has always been what makes my heart full. Unfortunately, I married the wrong man who constantly took the wind out of my sails. He, and his parents, mocked me for volunteering. Working for free was some kind of crime and I was an idiot for wanting to do so. Everything was about money and things and pulling the wool over people's eyes. Lying, cheating, manipulating and stealing. Doing whatever it takes to get the "deal", to win. The type of people who go to church and teach religion in order to be forgiven for all their sins (I'm sure we've all met a few in our lives). It's their ticket to Heaven (or so they believe). So, I spent the better portion of my life locked up....trying to conform and be who they, and most of society, say I should be.

Until now....

Now, it's a new Dawn, a new day and a new life......

I spent the better portion of 2010 with my friend and his service dog. Everywhere we went she brought smiles to adults and children. Connections were made. Days were brightened and a dogs love was felt.
Being at a major cross-road in my life, knowing only that I want to do something great, it dawned on me that my dog, Milo, was the key. He is the sole survivor of my dog Princess and her mate Hercules last litter. He is a special dog, I knew it from the moment he escaped death from the wrath of a dirty pool (his sister wasn't as lucky). Instead of selling him, as planned, I decided he was meant to be with me. It was the best decision I've made in years. He has been my savior. He makes my heart sing! So, now, I will go through the process of training and registering him as a therapy dog ...visiting the less fortunate (whether it be a nursing home, children's hospital or small village in some foreign land) and we will brings smiles, laughs and happiness; and we will leave paw prints on hearts everywhere we go! :)

I will start my journey with a poem:

As I embrace the changes and give in to it's flow,

I realize where I'm supposed to go.

It's not foreign,

the ideas to follow,

for I have felt them all my life.

I believe I am meant to do good.

To make a difference in the world.

To spread peace, love and happiness,

where ever I go.

I was trapped in a life that left me dead inside.

Dreaming of what it would be like to be free.

Free from the chains hypocrisy,

of closed minds and greedy people.

Free from other's boundaries.

Free to shine brightly upon the world....

all my love that has been buried deep within my soul.

Follow us on our adventures around the world....hopefully, as things grow, we will be able to afford to go more and more places!
Peace, love and happiness to you all!
XO
Milo & Dawn