I’ve never been so unprepared for a trip in my life. Less than 24 hours from now, Amanda and I will be aboard a long haul flight that will transport us to the winter wonderland that is Sweden in February. Bags packed and ready? Absolutely not.

Life is a frenetic mess at the moment. Last week we moved, and our routines feel off kilter in the way that living out of boxes can do to a person. But I have faith that once we arrive at SeaTac, all of my attention will turn to the rush of travel. What’s ahead? What new crazy thing will I see for the first time? And like the snap of the fingers, all focus will shift to the delight of newness.

It will be a balmy 34 degrees in Stockholm when we arrive. It will be 7 in Abisko. I’d better get out the wool sweaters…