For those who are checking, you might have noticed I've been away for awhile. But though I've been disconnected here, I've been reconnecting a lot elsewhere.
My absence over the past month began with a death in the family -- not my immediate family perse, but my daughter's grandmother on her father's side. Though originally I thought my call of duty would be to stay behind and watch the kids while my daughter and her husband attended the funeral, instead I had the blessing of being invited on a ten-hour family road trip with the two of them and my 11 and 2 year-old granddaughters. If you are cringing at the thought, you can let those shoulders loose. We had a great and memorable time.
It wasn't just the lovely snacks out of the cooler (they really weren't bad) or the super back seat I had to myself for awhile until my daughter put it away because she thought I was just being nice (she put it up for me again on the way home -- the non-stop 10-hour part of the trip). Those things and the concentrated time with my little foursome were wonderful. But what also really touched me was to visit friends and family I hadn't seen for over a decade.
There's nothing like a trip like this to make you aware of the advancing of time, the circle of life and how precious a gift it is to be able to witness that, to be a part of that and to realize that there is an end and you need to very much appreciate the journey -- and everyone in it.
It's like so many other things in life -- the wisdom we gain in age is often wisdom gained a little late. But at least I can share it with others -- with my daughter, my nieces and nephews, my grandchildren -- and hope and pray they will have long lives and come to experience these feelings too.
The next phase of my absence was due to a second road trip (I'm seeing a trend here) to see members of my side of the family -- my 92 year-old aunt and several cousins. I marvel at how instantly a connection that has laid fallow for 20 years can spark to life, making it seem like it was only yesterday when we were last together. That's how it is with my cousins -- one in particular -- and I am one lucky woman to have my life open up again in this way. We all know we aren't getting any younger, and so this trip has launched what we all hope will be at least yearly get togethers. We don't have the time to squander that we had when we were young.
And honestly, does anyone, young or old, have time to squander?
Reconnect.
