What a great idea for a travel bug!
I don't have a key to add, but I will give you this story about keys...
I am executive director of a non-profit in Walla Walla, WA called STAR Project, which stands for Successful Transition and Reentry. I work with men and women being released from prison to provide services to help them adapt back into the community. Our goal is to reduce recidivism by giving people the tools to become productive members of the community. You can learn more about my organization at http://wallawallastar.blogspot.com
Recently I was working with a client who was very frustrated by some of the obstacles he faced in trying to become self sufficient. With little education and limited work experience, plus the fact of his felony history, few employers were willing to give him a chance. With the part time job he was able to get the only apartment he was able to afford to rent was a tiny little efficiency room scarcely bigger than the cell he had been kept in for over two years.
One day he was in my office complaining about his situation, saying he might as well go back to prison because then at least he wouldn't have to work so hard, he would get three meals a day and not have so many problems to face.
I looked him in the eye and said to this young man that this tiny apartment, as small and run down as it was, had a very important distinction between it and his former prison cell.
What's that? He asked. Simple, I replied. YOU have the key.
It's easy to take our freedom for granted. Working with former felons has helped me appreciate every day the very basic blessing of having keys to my home, my car, my life.
It has also helped me recognize that the past does not equal the future - and that even those who have made very serious mistakes CAN, with the right tools, change.
I'll pass this travel bug along and hope you find many more keys and more stories along the way.
LJB / Belladonna