Of Travel, I've Had My Share

last week, my wife and i made a quick trip to our former hometown for a friend's family celebration.  we had little time to do anything except drive down, enjoy the event, and drive home.  we were exhausted when we got back, but our appetite for travel was kindled.  we're ready for new adventures that were not possible during the height of the covid pandemic.  right now a health problem makes it impossible for my wife to stray too far from home for long.  she has an appointment with a specialist in a couple of weeks, and we're hopeful that this doctor will offer a fix for her health issue so that we can plan a trip.

there are so many places we want to see and favorite destinations we want to visit again.  we know that before many years have passed, old age will prevent us from traveling as we once did.  we have watched as some older friends have planned several trips, only to have to cancel their plans because of illnesses.  that will be true for us in the future, as we can see because of the inability of my wife to travel now.  our wanderlust has taken us far from home, and being able to explore the world around us is one of our chief joys.  we long to be in vermont again in the fall and to see the green of ireland once more.  we've never been to spain, and we'd love to explore madrid, barcelona, and seville.

we know many people who are content to stay in our little town and who complain whenever it is necessary for them to travel an hour or two away on business or to see a medical specialist who is not available here.  we can't understand their lack of curiosity about the world around them, just as they are puzzled by our love of travel.  while we love our home and the town in which we live, it is not enough for us.  when our advancing years confine us to our immediate surroundings, we will learn to adjust.  until then, we will go as far and as often as we can.

may we appreciate the beauty of the world around us.  may we be content with whatever life brings us, accepting what we cannot change.  may we be filled with the desire to learn and explore.  may we continue to grow, even as our bodies fail us.  shalom.