#Kenzietravels

It all started on August third, though the first post wouldn’t be seen until the 12th. A young woman was found dead in her family home. It was an overdose. A painful day for her family and friends. With a person so small and a heart so big, it was going to be difficult to find a proper way to say goodbye. Yet somehow, they did.

Kenzie was an adventurer throughout her life. She had a bucket list ten miles long and the drive to make every item on it happen. When she passed away, her family still wanted to make it possible, so they found a way to do just that.

She had collected boxes and knick-knacks all her life, from everywhere she went. Too many for the family to simply keep them all. So instead, they decided to give them away in the most beautiful way possible. Each box was given an item, and a note reading:

“Mackenzie died at age 22. She collected tiny boxes. She loved to travel. Please take this box to a place you love and take a picture. Post this picture with on Instagram, #Kenzietravels Keep Mackenzie’s spirit traveling.”

So far, these little boxes have been tagged from Ireland to South Korea. Kenzie’s travels have taken her farther than most people could ever dream of going and she isn’t done yet. The latest photo was posted by her own father—who learned how to use Instagram just to keep her memory alive—from the Bahia de Banderas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on January 22.

Some of these boxes have resurfaced, one being found in Las Vegas, then Disneyland, then at the top of Mt. Liberty, NH. One was found in Hawaii, and left with promises to resurface in Germany. One was rebound by Kenzie’s parents, and passed along to find its way to Switzerland.

Each time they’re found and posted, her family can be found in the comments with little anecdotes. From simple facts such as, “The Little Mermaid was her favorite,” to a story about wandering through floods on her fathers hip. Each location resonates with her loved ones and gives them a chance to reopen the wound and talk about it positively. It keeps her alive for them. From places they’d been together to places they always hoped to go, it’s one more little goodbye in the biggest possible way.

So what should you do if you find Kenzie somewhere? Just follow the instructions. If you don’t have Instagram, please send the pictures to someone who does. Everyone in her family loves the chance to see her again. It’s important to us. Most of us track the tag and if you post one of her boxes, we will flood the comments with emojis and stories. Several people have already said that it helped them to feel like they were a part of something so much bigger than themselves. Not to mention it’s pretty fun.

But what if your Instagram is private? Just tag one of her family members or friends. We will be polite and not ask you to un-private your account, but we will ask permission to repost the photo and make sure that it is credited back to you. We want those who find her to feel the kindness she would’ve shared.

In a time so sad, this simple hashtag has relieved so much pain for so many. It may seem silly to some, but it means the world to others. Kenzie was a small person with a personality that could brighten even the darkest room. She was bright and charming, annoying and vegan. She had a heart of gold and the spirit of pure adventure. She may be gone, but we will not let her be forgotten. May she rest free, like she always craved to be.