Haley left for Japan this afternoon (4/23) until August 30^th.  She just got off the plane from South Africa last Friday (4/19)– so four continents in five days – Cape Town to London to LAX to Narita,  I am so proud of her.

The Young Americans, YA’s for short, is an International Outreach program that brings music in to the schools.  Her last tour was 3 months in Scotland, Ireland and England followed by two weeks in Cape Town.  I flew out to spend 36 hours with her before she boarded her flight to Japan.

I got in to Ontario, California at midnight on Sunday, picked up Haley from a friend’s apartment and back to my favorite hotel in SoCal, the Ayres Suites.  I listened to her talk until about 3:30 a.m. and then drifted off for a couple of hours sleep.  I mentioned to her that it was 6:30 a.m. where I had just come from, she reminded me that it was 4 in the afternoon from her last stop…fair enough.

Haley had rehearsal set for 9, so we got up for breakfast and dropped her off.  My job was then laundry and errands for her; a quick meet for lunch; a quick meet near dinner and then I gathered her back up for some additional errands.  We couldn’t quite finish them and so we got up early and hit the stores again.  Then to the airport.  Whew…it goes so fast.

I am so proud of my baby girl, she never ceases to amaze me in her thoughts and deeds.  She has always been a volunteer, never content to just sit on the sidelines and let others lead.  She is the one who likes to make things happen.  I love watching her with her group, this tour she is in charge of costumes, of course she needed a little help since she wasn’t here yet.  As she describes them, Boy Casey and Girl Kacie, took care of getting things rolling, now it’s up to her.  When I went to see her at the dinner break, she was bagging costumes in the warehouse, making an inventory, insuring that there were costumes for everyone.  She looked at me and apologized, “Mom, you didn’t really need to come out here, I thought we’d get more time together.”  Are you crazy??? I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.

Haley, just so you know, the chance to hug you and tell you I love you was enough for me, if we’d only met at the airport for an hour before you went on your way, that would have been enough.  Hmmm….perhaps I need to schedule some additional trips….Josh, Kayla – what do you think?  Love you all.