It’s 9:02 and we’re running though the train station. Zurich is not like the United States, trains leave on time, ALWAYS. It’s raining out and Z is calling my name to run faster and I yell “keep going, I’ll catch up!” Bad idea. The are so many turns that by the time I look up, I’ve lost Z. A sense of panic rushes over me and I quickly shift back to 1992. I was in the Fashion District in downtown LA with my mother and sisters. Across from the store we are in something calls my attention (I don’t remember what it was) so I walk over having been told not to leave my mothers side. I have finished looking at whatever it was that I needed to see ( my child necessity) when it dawns on me that my mother is no longer there. Needless to say, I panic and begin to cry as I scan my surroundings. I can feel the panic take over my body and right before my light cry turns into a loud cry for help, I feel my mothers hand on my right shoulder. I immediately feel a sense of comfort and love rush through my body as my mother grabs my hand and  reprimands me for disappearing. I never forgot this incident and 20 years later I’m in the same situation. I calm my self down and look around, I know Z had to pick up tickets first so lets find the ticket booths. Its been a while since I’ve been on a train station in Europe so without understanding a lick of German I look for what may be a ticket center. Not a big deal at all but for me, these five minutes made me proud. I kept my cool and was found ( side bar: I have no sense of direction and our cell phones are out of service). 

We get on with three minutes to spare! Our friend Martin appears to say farewell and to ensure we made it on board. He thought for sure we would be late. We’ll be on for 4 hours. Catch you in Italy!