Saturday, January 18, 2014

A Single Step

Recently, we heard the most touching story about a traveling toy fox who’s been all around the world in an effort to raise money for a brave man battling stage-four cancer.


Mr. Fox is making international headlines and we hope that if you can, you will help to send his friend, Mr. Gary Moore, on the trip of a lifetime: Click here to read about Mr. Fox and Gary.

This story was especially endearing to us because Jess and I love to travel so very, very much--it raises the spirit and broadens perspective, elevates the heart and opens the mind.  


Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights;
it is a change that goes on,
deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.
~ Mary Ritter Beard ~

And we loved Mr. Fox because we too have a beloved furry friend that we take on every one of our own adventures. Meet Teddy—the traveling bear!


Teddy was a companion of our grandmother, and when she passed away shortly before our first trip to Canada, Jess and I decided that he would accompany us on all of our travels as a reminder to live boldly like our grandmother did.


Granny in Egypt   

In 2009, one year after our trip to Canada, Jess decided to embark on a brave adventure of her own. She saved up for months, quit her job at an architecture firm, and boarded a plane bound for Europe. For the next three months, she backpacked from... 
London, to Amsterdam, to Paris…


Teddy (or, "ours en peluche") at la tour Eiffel
  
to Barcelona, to Valencia, to Nice… 


Sunning in the South of France
  
to Florence, to Interlaken, to Vienna…


Enjoying a delectable Viennese sachertorte before the opera
 
to Hamburg, to Berlin, to Munich… 


At Oktoberfest—Prost!

to Venice, to Rome, to Athens…


Exploring his "Greek heritage" at the Parthenon
 
and with her along the way traveled her faithful friend, Teddy. Since that trip, Teddy has been to many wonderful places…New Orleans, Seattle, the American Southwest, and the Caribbean, but his adventures in Europe will always be close to our hearts because it showed us how possible it really is to realize your dreams.
 
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
~ Lao Tzu ~

Since then, we have been dreaming of publishing Teddy’s tales in a children’s book, and we’ve been hard at work to make it happen. We hope one day soon to share with you all his journeys across a great big world, because in travel there is the connection of bodies, hearts, and minds. You never know what surprises await... 


We wish you your own great adventure, Mr. Gary Moore. May you travel broadly!

~ Nel & Jess ~                                                                   

26 comments:

Jan Hermann said...

Both Mr. Fox and Gary's and your own stories are endearing and I pray enough money is donated to send Gary on a trip of a lifetime and that you have many more, too! I love the idea of a children's book...

~Blessings,
Jan ♥

Sola Scriptura said...

What a fun idea to take Teddy along to so many wonderful places! Mr. Fox is a great fundraising idea, I hope it will be a huge success.

Ann said...

What a wonderful story of Mr.Fox
and your own Teddy too. It was brave of Jess to do that, such an adventure and what a great story to share to the future generations of your family.

http://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

Tulla and Catie said...

This is a very nice post :) and I love the idea of Teddy traveling around the world. I hope you will succeed in writing a book about his adventures!
Hugs from Barbara

Attic Clutter said...

HI Sheri
oh what a neat story ..love that you take Mr Bear all around the world for your grany too !!
Big hugs..

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That would be a wonderful book...I would buy one! I love traveling with a little companion, too but I'm not as well traveled as you! Enjoy your weekend!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

How I love this sentiment. Our French Immersion school had a mascot named Normand, un ours en peluche who also has traveled to France with the fifth grade classes that would go to France for a couple of weeks!

Have fun girls....make your dreams come true and never lose sight of the fun! Anita

syros2js said...

That was an amazing blog-post!!!
;-)
Have fun!!!

TARYTERRE said...

Sweet stories, indeed.

valerietilsten59.blogspot.com said...

A lovely post Jess and Nel.
I do hope that you write a book , how exciting.
There is nothing better than travel to broaden ones mind and see different cultures and take in whole new experiences.
I hope that Mr. Fox ,with Gary get funds to help ..I think there is still so much to be discovered with cancer. Its an awful sickness.
lovely post.. great travels you both did.
love val x x x x

In My Wild Eden said...

what a wonderful book it will be. Thanks for sharing.

Nely said...

What a wonderful and sweet story,so lovely post!
Hugs
Nely

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Nel and Jess,
What a touching story you have shared with us. Oh what travels you have taken and always, always seek the truth, adventure, fun and stay true to your own hearts!
Jemma

Antee Gurung said...

Hi dear!!

What a heartfelt touching cute story. I do feel travelling is very important too. love the pictures..so cute teddy is everywhere!!! hehe

Have a good week dear
Btw do check out my new post
GOd bless u both
xoxo

Ivy and Elephants said...

Oh, I love this! I have a paper doll that I mail to different places with my students. They love getting the pictures and letters about "Flat Stanley's" adventures. Great post!
Hugs,
Patti

sweetvintageofmine said...

Such a sweet and precious story! I will be praying for Mr. Gary that all his needs are met and he will be cancer free! And what a wonderful way to honor and remember Granny with all your trips! You must write that book...it would be great! Blessings~~~Roxie

Red Rose Alley said...

Hello Teddy. Who would have thought that grandma's bear would bring so much joy?

~mom

Unknown said...

You are so right. Once you get the travel bug you can't stop because you don't want to. I does change you, makes you a bigger and better person. Thanks for sharing your travels with your furry friend!

Love,
Mary

Riitta Sinikka said...

♥♥♥

teddy bears Marin to Venice said...

Beautiful idea to travel with bear! he is very beautiful!
P.S. my principal blog is: newsteddybears.

Kisses from Venice RosaRita

Optimistic Existentialist said...

this is very inspiring and it touched me deeply. Thank you for this post.

Barbara said...

Such fun to read about your traveling fuzzy friend. Agree it would make a lovely book. I love travel as much as you do.
Also agree about Anthropologie in your previous post. I've bought some adorable tea cups there for practically nothing.

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Thank you Sheri for coming over to let me know about this wonderful post!
First, I will keep Gary in my prayers.. I love his little Mr. Fox.
You TEDDY, my heavens, what a traveler he is.. When this book is published I will be first in line, you cant count on that.
Love and many blessings to all you ladies.
Penny

Deserae said...

What a wonderful idea to take Teddy along on all your adventures. I hope the fundraiser is a huge success :o)
~Des

Zizi Santos said...

Uma linda historia! da avó e do ursinho.
vou aguardar o livro.
Zizi

Anonymous said...

LOVE this! How very inspiring to have saved up and quit the job to head out on such an amazing journey.
BRAVO!!!
PS-Love the bow tie on Teddy before the opera. :)