Okay, remember that vacation?

Okay, my eldest son and his girlfriend from Seattle headed back home, home to regular work hours and commitments. My daughter headed back to college, back to a crazy-difficult

condensed/accelerated Chemistry series. My other son is back with his team in Portland, meeting his commitments. The house emptied tonight, quickly. Every one had a bag of food, a freshly washed car, and lots of hugs. It was a good visit.

And, now, tomorrow, I start that vacation smorgasbord I discussed earlier. Where to go, what to do? First stop, my travel trailer waiting for me in the mountains, at my brother's place. Then, who knows? The Shakesperean Festival? San Francisco? The beach? I will ponder, contemplate, and consider when I am in a quieter mood and place. I'll let ya know.

Vacation Smorgasbord

I am embarking on my first ever two week vacation by and for myself. I took two weeks off from the hospital, and I am leaving at the end of the week. I won't be blogging much during that time. I hope to be away from anything Internet-ish.

I have checked out the options, and decided I will go do what feels right for each day. I will spend time in the mountains, fish, hike, and tan. I will attend a Shakespearean Festival and take in some plays. I will look at real estate in a beautiful mountain town we are thinking of moving. I will take photographs, see my kids if it works out, eat good food, watch some movies, read a book, and...who knows?

Its like a good-times buffet, or Smorgasbord. That seems preferable to me than trying to plan anything structured. I need choice and lack of obligation and schedule, what my life has been about for years now, usually someone else's obligations and schedule. Bring on the ambivalence and indecision!

Daddy's home!

Google image

George gets back from a ten day fishing trip to Alaska today.  I miss him so much when he's gone. He is my best friend, and after twenty-seven years of marriage, his absences are difficult to bear. We are pretty independent as individuals, but, we love the togetherness.

It has become an inherent part of our relationship that we each go places for a week or more, sometimes up to a month, to enjoy our individual pursuits.  Visiting kids, lounging on the beach, camping, hunting, fishing...  

Getting back together is so neat; sharing the stories, laughing, seeing the restful relaxation in the other's eyes.  

I wrote our vows, and, in them, I wrote, 'This love is not in spite of, but because of, the absences', referring to a few months- or years-long break ups during the ten year courtship. We grew as individuals, and brought more magic and spark back to the relationship.  It is that way now.

I look forward to the relaxed, youthful person I will greet at the airport.  He is closer to the man I fell in love with, and I am happy for him.