Welcome to WanderFull Times —
The Airport Edition
The moment you step into the airport—past the buzz of coffee machines and the crackle of flight announcements—it hits you: this is it.
The trip you’ve been dreaming about?
It’s happening.
Airports are little worlds of their own—full of possibility, anticipation, and (let’s be honest) overpriced lattes.
But the real magic?
It’s in the waiting.
The hoping.
The learning to stay grounded when all you want is to go.
Excitement isn’t the only thing in the air.
Airports can rattle even the steadiest traveler—the crowds, the gate changes, the quiet hum of what if I forgot something? (Did I unplug the iron? Lock the door?)
You’re not where you were, but you’re not yet where you’re going.
That strange, beautiful in-between?
That’s where today’s issue lives.
It’s for anyone who’s wiped away a tear at a gate, swapped stories in a boarding line, or felt that tiny thrill when their bag tumbled out first on the carousel.
Those blurry, beautiful moments of disconnection—the ones that somehow bring us closer.
To each other.
And maybe to ourselves.
So whether you’re en route, just back, or dreaming of your next adventure, I’m glad you’re here.
Because the real journey doesn’t start with takeoff or touchdown.
It starts the moment you choose to go.
In the waiting. In the wondering. In the wandering.
Welcome aboard Edition 2 of WanderFull Times.
Now boarding.
WanderFull Reflections-
Packing with Purpose (and always so much more)
Every time I travel to Nepal, I promise myself I’ll pack lighter.
And every time — I don’t.
It’s never really about the baggage.
It’s about what’s tucked between the folds:
A bundle of baby clothes from a friend, meant for a child she’ll never meet.
A bag of toothbrushes from my dentist, pressed into my hands with a smile — “Just in case you find someone who needs one.”
Little pieces of kindness, packed tight and carried across oceans.
By the time I roll into the airport, my cart groans under the weight —
Two 50-pound bags, my familiar carry-on packed to the brim, and a backpack pulling at my shoulders.
My arms ache a little.
But on the outside, I move like it’s effortless.
Confident.
Prepared.
(At least, that’s what I hope it looks like.)
As I approach the check-in counter, I feel the quiet weight of it all—
not just what I’m carrying, but why.
I remember standing on the other side of that counter.
The long shifts. The small kindnesses that could change a whole day.
So before the bags are weighed, I tell the story.
About Nepal.
About what’s inside.
About who it’s really for.
Sometimes they smile.
Sometimes they just keep typing — hands moving over keys I once knew by heart.
And sometimes — when it feels right — I reach into my backpack and offer a small gift.
A quiet thank you.
A reminder that even here, under fluorescent lights and strict policies, we’re still just people helping people.
I never expect anything.
But when a fee is waived or a path is smoothed, I’m grateful — not for the savings, but for the softness.
Packing for Nepal will never be efficient.
It’s full of small things that carry big hope.
Overflowing with heart.
And without even knowing it, you’re part of it too.
Just by reading.
Just by caring.
Thank you for being here.
Inspiration Spotlight-
Soft Landings
A Soft Landing, On and Off the Runway
Airports are gateways—to vacations, adventures, new beginnings.
But sometimes, they’re something else entirely.
A move.
A goodbye.
A moment you wish you could hold onto a little longer.
Not every trip is a holiday.
Sometimes it’s a rushed flight to a hospital bedside.
A final visit.
A farewell you weren’t ready for.
I met my friend Lynn in that world of constant movement—working as flight attendants, spending long days in airports and skies.
You start to see things differently out there.
Every traveller has a story.
And not every story is about where they’re going.
Some are about what they’re leaving behind.
And Lynn—
She always had a smile.
The kind that showed up first in her eyes.
Kindness tucked into every glance, every quick hello in a crowded airplane.
She still carries that kindness now.
During her furlough from WestJet, back when the world stopped in those early COVID days, Lynn noticed something closer to home:
Seniors getting ready to leave the places they had built a lifetime in—often with no one to help them through it.
Soft Landings was born from that moment.
Today, Lynn helps guide these moves—packing, planning, managing the logistics, yes.
But more importantly, offering what she always has:
Patience.
Gentle reassurance.
The kind of steady kindness that reminds you you’re not doing this alone.
Because some journeys aren’t about how far we go.
They’re about who stands beside us when it’s time to move forward.
Here’s Lynn’s story, in her own words.
For 11 years as a WestJet flight attendant, I had the privilege of welcoming Guests on board, offering reassurance, and ensuring a smooth journey. Whether it was answering questions about the weather or promising a “soft landing” after a turbulent flight, my role was about more than just travel—it was about care, comfort, and trust.
That same spirit of reassurance and support became the heart of Soft Landings, a business dedicated to helping seniors transition into new living arrangements with dignity and peace of mind. I saw firsthand how small acts of kindness could ease anxiety and create a sense of calm, and I realized that the need for that same level of care extended far beyond the cabin of an airplane.
Many older adults spend decades building their lives in a home filled with memories, only to find themselves facing the overwhelming challenge of downsizing and relocating. The process can be emotional, exhausting, and often isolating. Families, though well-intentioned, are not always able to provide the hands-on support needed. Without guidance, this transition can feel impossible.
With Alberta’s senior population expected to double in the next two decades, the need for compassionate, experienced help has never been greater. Soft Landings was born from the belief that no one should have to navigate this journey alone. We walk alongside seniors and their families, handling the logistics with care, patience, and understanding—ensuring that every transition is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Just as I once reassured nervous travellers at 35,000 feet, I now help seniors and their loved ones find peace and confidence in a new chapter of life. Because everyone deserves a “soft landing,” no matter where their journey takes them next.
Check out Soft Landings Website here
Book of the Month:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
If airports teach us anything, it’s that waiting isn’t wasted time.
It’s where we pause.
Where we think about what matters—and what doesn’t.
When I thought about a book to match this “Airport Edition,” it took me a minute.
Nothing felt quite right.
And then I remembered Tuesdays with Morrie.
It’s not about travel.
It’s about something bigger: how we move through life itself.
Through simple conversations between a former student and his old professor, the book quietly teaches us how to live, how to love, and—most bravely—how to let go.
It’s small, but it stays with you.
Like the best moments often do.
A dear friend, Rhonda, gave me this book before my first trip to Bangladesh.
I didn’t realize then how often I’d carry it forward—not in my luggage, but somewhere deeper.
It met me in the waiting, and it still does.
If you find yourself between places—on a plane, in a transition, or just wondering what’s next—Tuesdays with Morrie is a companion worth having.
It reminds us:
The real journey isn’t just about where we’re going.
It’s about how we show up along the way.
A little “Morrie” wisdom to carry with you:
“Don’t let go too soon, but don’t hang on too long.”
— Morrie Schwartz
Travel with Confidence-
From Chaos to Calm
She had months to prepare.
Plenty of time to pack, organize, and feel ready.
At least, that was the plan.
But somehow, the weeks slipped by—work, errands, everyday life—and the night before her flight, she found herself tossing clothes into a suitcase at midnight.
She couldn’t find her charger.
She forgot to buy her travel insurance.
She packed three sweaters… but no socks.
(Did she even need sweaters? She wasn’t sure. She hadn’t checked the weather forecast where she was going.)
At the airport, she didn’t look calm.
She looked like someone still chasing her own trip—digging through bags, second-guessing every pocket, hoping she hadn’t forgotten something important.
And what you could see written all over her face was the quiet regret:
Why didn’t I slow down?
Why didn’t I organize myself when I had the chance?
How did something so important end up feeling so rushed?
Because she hadn’t run out of time.
She’d just spent it on everything else.
Here’s what stayed with me:
She wasn’t a bad traveler.
She wasn’t inexperienced.
She just hadn’t prepared when it mattered.
And honestly?
Preparation changes everything.
Confidence doesn’t come from knowing exactly what will happen.
It comes from knowing you’ve done what you can.
You’ve thought things through.
You’ve packed wisely—and maybe tucked a few backup plans into an email folder—so that when surprises come (and they will), you can meet them with calm.
Before every trip, I try to slow down and do a few simple things.
Nothing complicated.
Just the kind of habits that turn chaos into calm.
Here’s what I come back to, every time:
A list, made days ahead—not scribbled together over morning coffee.
Travel documents, printed, emailed to myself, and tucked in the same spot every time.
A “first 24 hours” plan—where I’ll stay, how I’ll get there, and how to reach someone if I need help.
A few small basics: snacks, a pen, a charger, and a little pouch of calm (sometimes disguised as ginger chews or a few tea bags).
Because travel will throw surprises.
That’s not failure—that’s life.
But when you’re organized,
You move differently.
You breathe differently.
You trust yourself more.
If you’re looking to travel with a little less worry and a little more steady confidence here’s the simple checklist I use.
Because sometimes, confidence isn’t something you find along the way.
It’s something you pack before you even leave.
Walk through the airport not just carrying a bag—but carrying your own quiet confidence.
WHAT’S NEXT –
As I wrap up this edition of WanderFull Times, thank you for being here—for reading, reflecting, and wandering through this in-between space with me.
If a line made you smile, if a tip felt helpful, or if you recognized a bit of yourself in the travel chaos, I’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply—I always love hearing how these stories land on your side of the world.
Coming May 15…
The Kindness Issue.
This one is close to my heart. It’s a reminder that kindness doesn’t need a passport—it just needs intention. We’ll explore small ways to create impact right where you are, and I’ll be sharing a few thoughtful travel tips for spreading kindness on the move.
Thank you for being part of the WanderFull circle. I’m grateful for your presence, and I can’t wait to share more in the next issue.
With carry-on lessons,
a few helpful lists,
and more WanderFull Times ahead,
Shelley
Fun Airport Fact:
Bottled water is the #1 thing people buy at airports.
(And it costs about as much as your checked bag.)
Bring an empty bottle.
Fill it after security.
Stay hydrated, save cash, look like you’ve done this before.
Carry water.
Carry kindness.
Carry on.