A Word Study

Daunting. 

Seeming difficult to deal with in prospect; intimidating. 

Synonyms: intimidating, formidable, disconcerting, unnerving, unsettling, dismaying; discouraging, disheartening, dispiriting, demoralizing; forbidding, ominous, awesome, frightening, fearsome; challenging, taxing, exacting. 

Daunt. Verb. Circa 1300 AD. From Old French "danter,"meaning "to vanquish." From the Latin "domare," meaning "to tame."

Thank you, Google and Online Etymology Dictionary. I kind of love etymology. One, because I am a huge nerd. Two, because the history of words is such a lovely tapestry. Threads connecting civilizations, cultures, languages throughout time, ever changing, ever reflecting change. History from a different perspective.

But that isn't what I am writing about. How would you use daunting in a sentence? I immediately think of grand tasks - summiting Everest, vanquishing a great enemy - you know, the things great literature is made of. How about these sentences for examples:

"The international trip was daunting to the mother." 
"The mother was daunted by traveling internationally with her baby."
"The constant, rambunctious movement of her son meant that the 20 hour international journey was daunting to the mom."

Yep. That is what I am writing about. No great enemy to vanquish. Unless you count jet lag to be that enemy. Now that I think of it, that'll do. Mac and I set out on a Grand Adventure on Monday. We travel from Frankfurt, to Amsterdam. Then Amsterdam to Minneapolis (whyyyyyy......), then Minneapolis to Oklahoma City. It's about 20 hours of travel time total and the longest leg is an eight hour flight. OH.

Did I mention I'm going alone? ALONE. I have this image of my 25 lb. son climbing over fellow passengers, writhing in my arms as he fusses, not sleeping because he has reached the point where he is so tired that sleep is impossible. You know, Manic Baby Syndrome. Meanwhile, I am starving and unable to use the facilities. Did I mention I'm sipping a vodka tonic from Mac's sippy cup? It might happen. I am hoping that Mac's charm and good looks will get us far. (And yes, I am using my child for my own benefit). Best case scenario...a lovely grandma is sitting next to us and just can't get enough of my toddling child. With my luck, it'll be this guy (this is actually hilarious).

Inhale. Exhale. I know it will be fine, mostly because it has to be. I have a few tricks up my sleeve...a fantastic travel crib that will become Mac's haven on layovers. String cheese in abundance. New toys. Prayer. I'm tempted to convert to Catholicism just so I can cross myself multiple times throughout the day. Alas, it is not to be. In the end, I shall vanquish and tame this ominous, forbidding, exacting journey. And on the other side, I will be an Expert on traveling internationally with a child. I might even write a blog post about our journey.

Wish me luck, dear friends. Or better yet, send me a Delta drink voucher.

'Til next time.