Oh what a feeling … what a rush! It is like having a
whirlwind tour and never seeming to have touched the ground. I am used to
putting a few weeks of planning into a voyage. There are routes to be checked,
watering holes to be pinpointed (that is always a good thing in a family’s
striving for peace of mind and bladder), and the list of the wants, likes and
hopes that add up to a memorable trip for all. The family knew of the upcoming event
pretty well in advance, but as would have it, it was to be held a fair piece
away, as we say down east! It was not likely that our branch of the family
would be able to attend as retirement has shaken the money tree with renos, new
builds and needed a bit of extra outside work just to keep from depleting
savings. One daughter was off to Europe on business, another teaches school
full-time and so she can’t take time away in the fall and our son is a
contractor and a relatively new Dad…. So how does one swing it?
Well, for the adventurous at heart and spirit …. You throw
out all the known excuses, accept the blessings as they come and answer the
invitation. So it was that our daughter was picked up at the airport, as she
flew in from Europe, and our son (with permission) sidestepped his work and
family for a few days, while my wife and I, with packed bags in hand, climbed
aboard a van mid-evening and drove some 22 hours to Upper Canada. Ok… so it was
Ontario! LOL And for the driving?… But for the first leg from Halifax
International to Edmundston NB, which my wife drove, our son took the wheel and
zipped us to and fro, hither and yon, to all the places, events and back home
again… oh to be young again.
It is really not like the old tours we took years back.
Being rushed is not one of my forte’s, but I am spontaneous, just not like I
used to be. I found that not being “large and in charge” can change a person.
The “big kahuna” of travel became not even a co-pilot, but Dad in the back
seat; “and stay out of the backseat driving position, thank you very much”!
LOL. During my illness, after returning from India last trip, I really got to
enjoy being ferried about, being able to relax and rest as needed, but since feeling
more myself, well, it was a bit draining, not of the energy needed to make the
trip, but of the ol’ guys ego! But I know that comes with the territory. Life
has a way of spinning around faster every day and when those years turn into
decades, and the decades into generations… well you can see my point… you just become
another old dinosaur that has need of care and is put out to pasture. Well,
that is not for me.
I’ve got lots of life to be lived yet. When driving is no
longer an option for the long hauls, I plan to fly… perhaps on their ticket, if
my tears and sad old eyes could make a difference. LOL No… I believe in being
somewhat independent and don’t want our children to feel that we have become a
burden. My plan is to keep moving, not uprooting, but the everyday routines that
can keep life interesting and challenging at the same time. The woodworking
shop is nearing completion; soon the cottage home will be a focal point for
completion and then more time to explore, or perhaps reinvent myself again. No
need to feel sorry for this old bird yet… cause I am not about to feel sorry
for myself at this point; there is too much good that can be done in family,
community and out there in the world.
Think of the challenges that face us every day. For some it
may be more difficult than others, but for each there is the personal feat of
getting going, maintaining stride and finishing the daily race before resting
for another night. On the chance that life affords me health, strength and
resources to get me through each year, I plan to not just make due, but make
good, better and the best of each moment, day and month ahead. Retirement can
be a host of things to the myriad of folks who face it each year. To some it is
the beginning of the end, with little or no choice but to settle in to deterioration
and death. I made plans years ago and though some changes have taken place, we
still have a view to a future, not just the end. I often tell people that we
can die with regrets dampening our spirits, or we can live with the knowledge
that the past can be both a stepping stone and a pillar of learning, from which
we glean the wisdom to do better, live better and accomplish greater things for
others and God.
Life becomes much like the whirlwind tour. Much can be last
minute, even more can be poor planning or just plain stupidity at its worst,
but it can have its greater moments. This past week I lost the opportunity to
see a dear cousin, but I did get to visit a dear friend, attend a nephew’s
wedding, go to see Niagara Falls again, but most of all to spend time with family;
two of our children, cousins, an Aunt and Uncle and just being free for a few
days away! That is not to say that all was perfect… even the small things can
become huge when overtired. But we cast off the imperfect to be clothed in love…
and that is the key. For an adventure to be great, the sacrifice of self must be
more important than the moment… moments are just that… superficial when it
comes to a lifetime of joy.
So, it was that last minute plans and a van full of family
took to the road and spent hours, laughing, teasing and remembering that life
is good, though shortcomings and disappointments do happen, but still we live
on. I remember “stuff” from past journeys and it was a treat watching now our
grown children leading the way, talking of trips yet to be taken and somehow
involving the past generation behind them with an excitement that warmed our
hearts. Not being left behind, but included, in conversation, in plans yet to
be played out and even greater adventures which might also comprise
grandchildren and other family. How can one not feel the exuberance of some advanced
years where the knowledge of inclusion disperses the fear of isolation? I know
that there will come a time when it will be difficult for the children to
involve us, come to visit us… it has begun already,… their lives become a
matching of priority and need over desire and conscience. But for now, I celebrate
the journey and what a trip it is; humps, bumps but also vistas of unbelievable
beauty spread out before us, just waiting to be viewed… and view it we may with
the wind beneath our wings.
So I am off to some new adventure today. I am going to go “out
there” near the edge again. I’m done wasting time on what can’t be changed, I’m finding
time to change what I can and then go explore more of this ol’ world around me.
For any one of us it may be just up the street, across town or 2000 Kms. away,
but go see for yourself. My son watched as several individuals (and small
groups) took pictures at Niagara Falls. There is always someone left out …. You
know the deal… whoever takes the pic is always left out. So I said to him; “you
should go take the pic for them!” His reply was; “no… I am not there yet!” So
off I went and had the joy of bringing them joy, and there always was… joy… for
they were now part of the group photo, because I chose to help. One day my son
will understand and take the lead perhaps for his son. Don’t be afraid to get
near the edge… it may not be at Niagara or the Grand Canyon; it may be in front
of some flower garden just down the street. Believe me… it is a life changing
experience and it will change your perspective while there. Blessings for your
journey and may you find the wind beneath your wings!
