This weekend we will be leaving Santa Monica for life on the beach a little further north, and I must say that just as difficult actually leaving Springfield was, leaving Santa Monica feels similar.
Granted, I have family and long time friends in Springfield that can never be replaced. Yet, life in Santa Monica has been wonderful, and friends have been made as well.
I suppose the one thing I am getting at, is that I have been learning how to prepare for the next assignment and the next adventure, but wasn't really prepared for the departures and the farewells.
When we left Springfield after living there for over twenty years I was overwhelmed in the grandness and enormity of downsizing, leaving my grown children, and preparing for a radical change in life. I remember in the final days before our departure I would drive about the town and feel as though I already didn't belong, as if I were a visitor.
This time in leaving Santa Monica; it's the subtleties that overwhelm me. The idea that we are saying goodbye so soon, and lack time to truly gain an appreciation for how beautiful it is here.
This temporary moment of bittersweet doesn't deter me from our dream of visiting other locations, far from it. Yet I have come to realize; in my planning of new destinations and distant arrivals; savor the farewells, and goodbyes.
"How will it feel", I ask Mary, "if we end up leaving pieces of us with every place we visit?" "How long before we feel that there is not enough of us left?"
"I suppose", answers Mary, " instead of just leaving peaces behind; we can take pieces with us".
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Santa Monica, Senior Center Dance
Last Monday was the Senior Center of Santa Monica ballroom dance and lacking places for ballroom dance Mary and I along with another couple joined it for fun and a chance to practice some steps.
I walked in to change into my dance shoes while the other three stopped by the check in table. There they explained to the check-in lady that we wanted to dance but she replied that we were too young!
As they argued with the lady, I was already on the dance floor prancing a fox trot with one of the women patrons, oblivious to the difficulty we were in. Next was a two step and another older woman waiting to be my partner.
Finally, Mary pulled me off the floor to describe the problem. "What do you mean they won't let us dance here?" I ask.
"I already am dancing" I emphasized.
Another woman in a dark blue dress, sets her cane aside and is in the process of taking my hand for a fox trot. As Mary returns to the other couple who is still debating with the check-in lady.... something about how we are all young at heart and age is but a number. When I finally join them to resolve the crisis with one simple and swift move.
Yep, that's right.
I pull out my AARP card.
Can't argue with that one.
The lady behind the table shines a sudden smile and says "Why didn't you show that from the beginning." I promise to make it up to her later by joining her for a tango.
The other couple were new to dance, and a former instructor who states that he was often looked down upon as one of the babies of the group at a mere 74 years helped them out. Mostly though they were left alone.
If I was the new courtier of the dance, then Mary was the belle of the ball, and after the two of us shared a few dances the old men lined up for an opportunity to try steps and spins from their youth.
Most every lady invited me back and several mentioned the weekly Saturday dance in Culvert. "They have a live band, you know?" I heard more than once.
The music was provided by a married couple of "kids" both in their forties. He played an electric piano that included percussion accompaniment and she sang, but played trumpet when they performed a tango.
The Senior Center overlooks the beach,and the view while we danced was breathtaking. A Pacific breeze blew through the open windows serving as air conditioning as we grew warm from dancing a West Coast swing number.
Snacks and coffee was served after the first hour when we introduced to more people and again invited back.
"Next time don't worry 'bout that age problem" says the check-in lady as I lead her in a tango, "after all, age is nothing but a number."
I walked in to change into my dance shoes while the other three stopped by the check in table. There they explained to the check-in lady that we wanted to dance but she replied that we were too young!
As they argued with the lady, I was already on the dance floor prancing a fox trot with one of the women patrons, oblivious to the difficulty we were in. Next was a two step and another older woman waiting to be my partner.
Finally, Mary pulled me off the floor to describe the problem. "What do you mean they won't let us dance here?" I ask.
"I already am dancing" I emphasized.
Another woman in a dark blue dress, sets her cane aside and is in the process of taking my hand for a fox trot. As Mary returns to the other couple who is still debating with the check-in lady.... something about how we are all young at heart and age is but a number. When I finally join them to resolve the crisis with one simple and swift move.
Yep, that's right.
I pull out my AARP card.
Can't argue with that one.
The lady behind the table shines a sudden smile and says "Why didn't you show that from the beginning." I promise to make it up to her later by joining her for a tango.
The other couple were new to dance, and a former instructor who states that he was often looked down upon as one of the babies of the group at a mere 74 years helped them out. Mostly though they were left alone.
If I was the new courtier of the dance, then Mary was the belle of the ball, and after the two of us shared a few dances the old men lined up for an opportunity to try steps and spins from their youth.
Most every lady invited me back and several mentioned the weekly Saturday dance in Culvert. "They have a live band, you know?" I heard more than once.
The music was provided by a married couple of "kids" both in their forties. He played an electric piano that included percussion accompaniment and she sang, but played trumpet when they performed a tango.
The Senior Center overlooks the beach,and the view while we danced was breathtaking. A Pacific breeze blew through the open windows serving as air conditioning as we grew warm from dancing a West Coast swing number.
Snacks and coffee was served after the first hour when we introduced to more people and again invited back.
"Next time don't worry 'bout that age problem" says the check-in lady as I lead her in a tango, "after all, age is nothing but a number."
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Interesting Conversation
I am sitting across from an acquaintance when he asks me what hobbies I have.
"I enjoy writing about what is going on in my life." I reply.
"What do you mean?" he asks.
"I travel, and write posts on my blog. It allows me some creative outlet while also keeping in touch with friends and family", I continued.
"Yeah, I can see that", he says. "There are different things in my life I wish I could write about", he says. "I was a butcher once, you know?" "Hey, what do you call a piece of meat the butcher drops on the floor?" he asks. "Ground meat!"
"Oh, and I was a bartender for four years" he continues. "You wouldn't believe what drunk people will do for a free drink." "Hey, can you put pictures on those blogs?" he asks.
After a while the conversation turned to travel nursing. "If I could travel like that I would spend summer in Alaska", he says. "The weather is not so bad, lots of old folks take cruises up there and get dumped off at the hospitals, make for lots of work" he stated.
He then proceeded to talk about the new gold rush in Alaska. Apparently much of the ground was too frozen and covered with ice to be mined during the first rush, but now with the thawing tundra new mining opportunities are available. Only problem now though, is the abundance of bears.
The conversation fascinated me and I was disappointed when we had to part ways as the man's imagination grew wilder and far more interesting as he continued. He wished me well, and I promised I would let him know if ever I had opportunity to pan for riches.
"I enjoy writing about what is going on in my life." I reply.
"What do you mean?" he asks.
"I travel, and write posts on my blog. It allows me some creative outlet while also keeping in touch with friends and family", I continued.
"Yeah, I can see that", he says. "There are different things in my life I wish I could write about", he says. "I was a butcher once, you know?" "Hey, what do you call a piece of meat the butcher drops on the floor?" he asks. "Ground meat!"
"Oh, and I was a bartender for four years" he continues. "You wouldn't believe what drunk people will do for a free drink." "Hey, can you put pictures on those blogs?" he asks.
After a while the conversation turned to travel nursing. "If I could travel like that I would spend summer in Alaska", he says. "The weather is not so bad, lots of old folks take cruises up there and get dumped off at the hospitals, make for lots of work" he stated.
He then proceeded to talk about the new gold rush in Alaska. Apparently much of the ground was too frozen and covered with ice to be mined during the first rush, but now with the thawing tundra new mining opportunities are available. Only problem now though, is the abundance of bears.
The conversation fascinated me and I was disappointed when we had to part ways as the man's imagination grew wilder and far more interesting as he continued. He wished me well, and I promised I would let him know if ever I had opportunity to pan for riches.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
New Post on Travelrngab.com
We will be moving the first of October and I have included a beach view picture from our new home. Visit www.travelrngab.com for a sneak peak.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Hannah's visit
What a surprise! Hannah and Phil with little Lydia visited this past weekend.
Phil understood why we enjoy it so much here. No bugs, great weather, beautiful scenery, lot's of coffee shops!
"So, anything you've missed from Missouri?" Phil asks.
"Yes, friends and family." I respond. Otherwise can't think of anything else.
I got a room for them through Priceline.com, and what a cool deal! A suite at the Marriott adjacent to LAX for only $50 per night. I will definitely be checking their site more often.
The day at the beach was overcast but just as well to protect these fair skinned Missouri folks, later an evening at the Santa Monica Pier was a Grand baby dream.
Sunday evening it was time to part ways. I drove them up to the hotel lobby and held little Lydia while Hannah and Phil were emptying the car of their belongings. Phil came to reach for Lydia but she wouldn't let go of her Granddad. She held on to my arm until Phil finally managed her away.
It was my arms Lydia had hold of...but it was my heart being tugged.
Phil understood why we enjoy it so much here. No bugs, great weather, beautiful scenery, lot's of coffee shops!
"So, anything you've missed from Missouri?" Phil asks.
"Yes, friends and family." I respond. Otherwise can't think of anything else.
I got a room for them through Priceline.com, and what a cool deal! A suite at the Marriott adjacent to LAX for only $50 per night. I will definitely be checking their site more often.
The day at the beach was overcast but just as well to protect these fair skinned Missouri folks, later an evening at the Santa Monica Pier was a Grand baby dream.
Sunday evening it was time to part ways. I drove them up to the hotel lobby and held little Lydia while Hannah and Phil were emptying the car of their belongings. Phil came to reach for Lydia but she wouldn't let go of her Granddad. She held on to my arm until Phil finally managed her away.
It was my arms Lydia had hold of...but it was my heart being tugged.
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