I have discovered that after a year of observing life around me, and in me, and reflecting and writing on it after the sudden and tragic death of my husband last June, that it is a hard habit to break. And as always, I write these for my own record, but am honored to share them with whomever wishes to read them. So while this new blog promises not to be as emotionally wrenching as some of my earlier posts, I hope to amuse you and share with you my next path as it evolves.
I am currently halfway through the trip to Ireland I planned last September as a way to avoid having to relive the events of Glenn' s traumatic and somewhat violent death last June.
What a great decision! My mind has become like a sieve this year for new learning opportunities, and it has been a thrill to hear and experience new knowledge of history and the world.
But mostly what I have been reflecting on this day is the joy of aging. Yes. I said it. The joy of aging.
I was fortunate enough as a college student to travel in Europe two times. Both times were for the month of January. The first time I was a young freshman. I took nothing but a back pack for three weeks. My parents warned me that no one would be there to help me with luggage because the professor was leery about taking a freshman as he thought I might get homesick. Lol. We traveled all through Italy studying art and it was a fantastic trip with kids from St.Olaf, Macalester and Augsburg. We stayed in pretty decent hotels as I remember, and had snowball fights in the Alps. I'm sure I smelled wretched, but I carried my own weight throughout.
The next trip was two years later. Again, it was an art history trip ( my second major), but this time through the major cities of Europe. And the accommodations, especially in Paris, were abysmal. Even at 20, I figured out how I was going to get out if it started on fire. But youth is tolerant and forgiving and it was a great trip, shared with my lifelong friend Sue Sudduth Moynahan.
We spent time with my children in London in the '90's, but still maintained a very modest living with no frills.
The other day I noticed a few things that age now allows. I packed a full suitcase. We bought liquor in the duty free store. When we move hotels, I don't touch my luggage except to put it outside the door. It is delivered back to my new room. I have a private bathroom and air conditioning and the fire hazard is minimal. I have wifi everywhere, including the bus. And I'm more interested in what I'm seeing and the history, than in the business of others. And somebody else is driving.
I realize these are first world privileges and concerns, but so be it.
Although I feel like my life is moving way too fast, I do appreciate the saying, " with age comes privilege." Not that I desire to travel like this all the time. I do miss a bit of independence. But this year? I'm traveling with a dear friend and it is exactly what I need, post- surgery and post- whatta-year.
Here's to life.
On the the next part of the journey.
