ON GIVING THANKS AND BEING TOGETHER (November 14 - 28, 2022)

The stand-by flights to Indiana went smoothly and we landed in the Hoosier state to prepare for the family gathering over Thanksgiving.  This year all of our crew (except Ethan) would make their way to Avon and Autumn's home for a time of just being together, eating an overwhelming amount of delicious food, and watching the Michigan/Ohio State Football game.This brief blog will cover that short time we spent together in Indiana before making our way to Kissimmee, Florida, and the WYNDHAM CYPRESS PALMS RESORT, where we will stay for thirteen weeks.  It will also be our opportunity to wish each reader a "Merry Christmas".  We trust that your holiday times are and will be as special as ours.

                                                                                             REFLECTIONS

First of all, where has all the time gone? As I looked around the family room and kitchen, I couldn't help but notice how old everyone else has become. Our three children are all over 40 and our oldest son will be a grandfather come February 2023!  How is that even possible? They are supposed to be children, anxiously awaiting Christmas gifts under the lighted tree. My grandchildren will soon all be graduated from High School and my oldest grandson, a father.Then I looked in the mirror hanging in the hallway and there was my father looking back at me. When did I become him? Even as I thought about it, I realized that now, at 74, I am 10 years older than he was when he passed.

Secondly, I was reminded that as we age, we develop habits, beliefs, and outlooks that are uniquely our own.  We are no longer the same as we were years ago.  That realization is highlighted in these times of family gathering and closeness. Although most of our time together was harmonious and enjoyable, there were those moments when there were tensions derived from our developed personalities, our likes and dislikes. I can't imagine that this balance between the pleasure of being together and the times of friction were only evident in our gathering. It's part of being individuals with differing concepts and ways of processing the world around us. It's also part of memories of childhood conflicts that continue to be points of contention.

Here's what I know for certain following our time together.  We love each other.  We tolerate each other. We only want the best for each other. We are richly blessed.

I also am proud of who my children and grandchildren are becoming.  And, at the risk of sounding too proud, I am proud of the job that Sherry and I did in parenting our three children. Are they perfect? No, but they are sure a blessing to many.

Then, there's "Indiana Jones".  In the midst of all the action and the loud cheering as Michigan clobbered Ohio State, he, somehow, managed to find sanctuary under the Christmas tree.

SIX YEARS AND COUNTING (October 12 - November 13, 2022)

We left our long-time friends behind in Pennsylvania and headed back to Indiana. The Hoosier state provided us a place to unpack and repack before heading west to Missouri.  Also, it was an opportunity to, one last time, watch our oldest granddaughter, Abigail, play High School Volleyball.  What a joy it has been to see her play for Avon High School's varsity team these past three years.  The Indiana fall weather was beautiful and it was good to be at our little cabin for a few days. Another well executed stand by flight day from Indianapolis to Atlanta to Springfield, Missouri, brought us to our son's home in Republic.  A choir concert and a marching band context (Branson, Missouri) gave us pause to reflect on this, also, being the last such events, we would see for our youngest grandson, Ethan.  He will be graduating from Republic High School in the spring.

We stayed the next two weeks in Branson at the WYNDHAM RESORT AT THE FALLS.  It

was a perfect time to catch our breath after being on the go since leaving Alaska.  The autumn colors in the Ozarks was awesome and the slow pace was much needed. The remainder of our time was spent back in Republic where I made almost daily trips to the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield.  There I enjoyed long walks and seeing nature up close and personal.  Encounters with white tail deer and turkeys always give me pleasure and great photo ops!

Now it's back to Indiana for a family Thanksgiving before heading to Florida (WYNDHAM CYPRESS PALMS) and South Carolina (WYNDHAM OCEAN RIDGE) for the following 23 weeks.

REFLECTIONS

 

The pages of the calendar keep on turning.  It has been right at six years now that we have
been retired and living our nomadic lifestyle.  It certainly has had its challenges but overall has pretty much been what we had hoped for.  It has provided us with the opportunity to enjoy travel and to experience the beauty of life. We have been blessed to have good enough health to keep up with all that is required to get from place to place.  Some have asked how long we plan to continue our unusual journey.  Our reply is, simply, as long as we can.

It is a blend of being free to travel and being able to experience the joy of family.  Frankly, I think we've done a pretty good job.  I am not sure that we would change anything in how the past six years have worked out.

There certainly have been surprises like, being able to spend six months in Alaska this year.  But, for the most part this, golden years, adventure has gone as planned.  We will take it one day at a time until we can no longer feel good about our ability to continue our chosen path.  Until then, it's full speed ahead into 2023 and beyond.  Glad you can join us.