If you are new here, WELCOME! If you've been with us for a while, welcome back! Here we share real stories, travel tips, and resources to help you dream bigger, explore the world, and discover what's possible while walking the autism journey. We are so happy you are here!

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A few weeks ago during church, my husband ate a mint and offered me one. I took it without a thought.

For the next service, I was asked to play the organ. My friend leads the music. We usually sit behind the organ — she's completely hidden, but half the congregation can see me from the pews.

During a quiet moment, my sweet friend pulled a tube out of her purse. It was one of those like an old-style metal Colgate toothpaste tubes — you know the ones, not the new plastic kind. She squeezed a pea-sized dab onto her index finger, then offered me some.

Well, that's different. Do I need more mints? I wondered. So I extended my finger. She put a pea-sized dab on it, and I discreetly and quickly stuck it in my mouth.

Keep in mind: I'm sitting in front of a church congregation. 😳

It was the worst toothpaste I'd ever tasted. I couldn't spit it out. I couldn't do anything. I leaned over and whispered, "It didn't taste very good."

Her eyes went huge. Then I noticed her rubbing her hands.

Oh. My. Goodness.

I had just eaten lotion. 🧴🤦‍♀️

We were both giggling so hard, tears streaming down my face, desperately trying to stay quiet and hide behind the organ. 😂

We all have embarrassing moments. Times when we — or our kids — misread a situation, do something "not normal," or make a mistake. Especially in public. It feels like a big deal in the moment.

But is it really? Or is it just our perception? 🤍

Here's what I loved most about this experience: My friend didn't turn and say, "Oh, you dummy!" She held my hand so tight to help contain her laughter. It was a moment when, instead of feeling judged, I felt loved. I had a friend who laughed with me, not at me. 🫶

When you're in public and your loved one is having a hard time, you are that person — the one offering strength, love, support. You are their safe place. 🛟

But here's my question for you:

Who is yours? Who supports you? 💙

That's what this journey is really about — finding the people who hold your hand when things don't go as planned. ✨

Summer is in full swing! Are you traveling? Are your kids attending summer camps? Are you heading to a family reunion? What are your plans? ☀️

This year my summer will include business meetings and a family reunion that's been held since 1954! My husband's grandparents had ten kids, and from those kids came dozens of descendants.

I think I fell in love with my husband's family before I fell in love with him! When we were dating, he invited me, my sister, and my aunt to join him. Back then, almost 280-290 family members attended! Some stayed in tents, some had RVs. Every year it was held at the Chiricahua Mountains in Southern Arizona. (Now it is much smaller but still going!)

It was a little piece of heaven for little kids… but a little terrifying for a city slicker like me! I am not a camper. Especially after a spider got into my tent that first attempt to camp. After we got married, we camped twice and then rented an RV for years 🚐😅Now we just rent a vacation rental nearby.

Whether you're an experienced camper or someone like me who prefers four walls and air conditioning, family reunions in outdoor settings come with unique challenges — especially when sensory sensitivities are part of the picture.

Here's how to make it work for everyone. 💡

Not sure where to start?
Reply to this email and tell me what kind of trip you’ve been wishing for — a reunion, cruise, theme park, beach escape, or quiet reset — and I’ll point you in the right direction.

With so much going on, did summer just show up faster than expected? Here you are in June with no plans yet? No worries! It's never too late to create some amazing moments. Here are some ideas to help you jump-start your summer:

These are just a few ideas to kick off your summer! It's never too late to plan a little fun. ✨

I hope you have an amazing summer with your family. Enjoy the moments that will turn into incredible memories. 💙

Whether you're heading to a family reunion or planning a bigger adventure, the right preparation makes all the difference. That's exactly what I do through Gathering Memories Travel — I help families create travel experiences that actually work for everyone.

As a triple-certified Sensory & Autism-Friendly Travel Designer, I know how to find (or create) the quiet spaces, the flexible schedules, and the sensory-friendly environments that turn "I don't know if we can do this" into "We're actually doing this — and it's working." 🌍

You don't have to figure it out alone. 🤍

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