I used to call them vacations. In the past, they were for seeing the new and exciting or for vegging out on a beach.
Now in my 58th year, I have started to look at them as times of reflection.
That was what I was thinking as Deb and I were planning time off this summer. We were privileged to be able to take a respite from the hecticness of everyday life to stop, look back and almost go back in time.
Once again, we did a road trip down memory lane as we celebrated 31 years of being together.
The trip began as we landed in New York and continued as we visited family and friends there and in Washington, D.C., and Illinois.
Normally during a vacation, I want to see new places and new things we have never experienced before. Somehow, as I have gotten older, a part of me wants to return to the places and people that were such a big part of our journey.
People are also reading…
Our lives had intertwined with these folks early on, yet our paths ended up being very diverse.
Knowing where they are living now, how their families are and, at this age, how their retirement is evolving seems so important now as we reflect on our lives and experiences.
Time goes on and changes become so numerous that you almost forget the way it used to be. That's why we started to call it "time to reflect" rather than vacation.
Our trip took us across this great country of ours - and it really is spectacular. Getting to see, feel and smell our country surely gives a new perspective and hope to life.
Enjoy the journey,
Bob
E-mail Bob Oro at northwest@azstarnet.com
