The End Is Near

The End Is Near-

It is the day to pack.  Or rather throw everything into a suitcase.  Tomorrow we will board the silver bullet full of germs, coughs and sneezes.  We will take along hand sanitizer.  We will try to keep ourselves within the area of our chairs without bumping anyone's arm.  We will forgive the screaming child in front of us, and the one who constantly kicks our chair behind us.  Maybe we will sleep.  That helps pass the time.

What a wonderful time this has been.  Winter in the Pacific Northwest has been more like spring.  Warm temperatures and sunny skies most days.  Flowers bloomed early as did the flowering trees.  Leaves are now almost budding on trees and shrubs.  A perfect time.

We visited the coast numerous times.  The box we are shipping back weighs much more than it did on its trip out here.  That is because our search for agates at water's edge resulted in bags of beautiful objects.  All are going with us.  Reminders of all those times bent over searching among rocks and sand for the perfect treasure.

Making new friends was especially grand.  You know, the world is full of lovely people.  People who welcome the opportunity to chat over coffee.  People who offer help when it is needed without asking anything in return.  People who are kind and gracious.  Meeting new folks has enriched my life and provided lovely memories.

Plays, musicals and movies were part of this vacation.  We experienced such talent in local productions at one of our favorite theatres.  How delightful when people share their gifts of music and performance. A little culture is a mighty good thing.

Friends and family helped make this trip especially sweet.  We shared many of our favorite spots with a family who came to visit.  This was their first trip to the Pacific Northwest.  It won't be their last.  They shared their plans to return and search out new places and revisit the ones they loved.  Always fun to share something special with others.

We joined family on the coast for a couple of days.  What fun to make memories with them.  To have new adventures and revisit ones from past trips.

In an earlier blog I wrote that life can be divided into three areas.  I also wrote that this is not my thought.  I borrowed it from a book I read.  Can't remember the name of the book.  Anyway, the three areas are people, places and possessions.  People are first.  Places are second.  The best life would be if people and places were together.  However, often that is not the case.  If I could move the mountains, the coast, streams and trees to my home in the Midwest, life would be great.  Since that is not going to happen, it is necessary to visit the place that speaks to my soul as often as I can.  

Tomorrow we will pack the car, lock the door and drive to the airport.  This trip will be over.  But the wonderful memories will linger in my heart.  Did I say I am grateful for the opportunity to visit here?

After time away it will be good to see friends and family.  It will be good to sit down and catch up over lunch or coffee.  It will be good to share life again with so many I hold dear.  And then it will be time to move furniture around.  After all, it has been in the same place for months now.  It must be quite tired of its present location.  And life continues its rhythm.