Friday, August 27, 2010

Holding versus Doing

We are in a holding pattern and it is hard.  Between leaving Boone and heading to Europe, we have a 3 week stay with my Dad in Wilmington.  Don't get me wrong - being with Dad is fun.  He is an admirable guy who loves to read, eat good meals, engage in enthusiastic conversation, as well as volunteer with Meals on Wheels and Mother Hubbard's Cupboard.  Being with him is comforting, reassuring, and easy.  But, Peter and I have habits of doing that are not met by being in someone else's home and already we have imposed our habits on Dad by taking over the upstairs, cleaning out his garage, and commandeering the kitchen. 

Neither one of us is comfortable when we aren't busy.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Change and transition

We have made the change on Friday.  We left our home (in the capable hands of Andrew and Bruno); left our car (in the marketing hands of Kathy Issacs friend); and traveled to Wilmington to spend three weeks with Dad before we leave the country.  We were "spent on arrival" and it has taken until this morning (Sunday) to feel like we are physically here and away from Boone.  But that is not all that has to take place.  There are emotions, anxieties, excitement, hopes and fears about separating from what and who we know.

We now have to make the transition.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Random acts of security

At 5:50 am, I crossed North Carolina Avenue SE, headed to Pennsylvania Avenue in hopes of nabbing a quick cab ride to National Airport.  It was that perfect moment when yesterday's heat had finally left the streets and the early morning air was cool and fragrant.  Looking up and down the sidewalk, I walked past the closed doors of the Eastern Market and spied three women walking separately and purposefully towards their day.  We each appraised the other and once all four of us intuited our similar mindsets, relaxed our shoulders, and continued walking wordlessly.  We walked past the the bundled clothes sleeping on a bench, a woman in a wheelchair in the shadow of a corner building, and a man rummaging through the garbage.  No cabs, only buses - so I took the Metro to feel safe in the company of strangers and arrived two hours before my flight.

I was randomly selected for a complete TSA search... for my safety.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Side Trips - a foot in the past pushing towards the future

Ack!  And while it was still dark, my college roommate Nancy, got up and drove me to the Greensboro airport so I could fly to DC.   A little anxiety set in as I checked off the tasks for a 24 hour trip: setting the alarm, laying out my clothes, organizing my travel bag (computer, handouts, boarding pass, id, night shirt, toothpaste, toothbrush, clean undies and different shirt).  All of a sudden, my heart began to race a little and I wasn't sure if I was afraid of doing a poor job or excited about going to work.

Maybe there is no difference.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tying up last minute details

Cleaning out the freezer and fridge for the renters was a walk down memory lane!  Duck stock?  When did I make that?  Mustards galore from Peter's 70th birthday party (Brats and Beer).  And two dried rose buds in a plastic bag from my Mother's funeral.

We have promised ourselves that we will not be held hostage by the stuff of life - you know, maintaining a fancy storage facility (our home) to hold the things we have collected along the way.  We were amazed and disgusted by the number of clothes and shoes that we put up in the attic so the closets would be empty.  Maybe this year will be about shedding so many unnecessary things and learning to hold on to each other and what really matters most.

Like two dried rose buds in a plastic bag.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

Friends like ours are rare and precious.  Every day has been filled with tender reminders of why Boone is home. How did we ever get so lucky.  Our hearts are full and so are our suitcases. 

We are only allowing each other one suitcase each (okay, it is a big one) and it needs to last from September - May in all sorts of places - QM2, Bavarian villages, Italian Alps, Spanish coast, and th bridges of Istanbul.  Surprisingly, we are darn close to making it work.  Peter is lucky - his formal wear consists of one tuxedo (Daniel Craig - eat your heart out) and a classy suit.  Mine is a bit more varied but let's face it, one long black dress, one short black dress, one pair black "fancy pants"  and a string of pearls will take you anywhere.

So -we are off!  The places we'll go.