It has been one month since I last wrote. It is time to begin writing again.
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We’re back from England and after two weeks of struggling with a combination of jet lag and head cold, things are beginning to get back to normal. It has been a few busy weeks at work but I was able to look forward to this weekend and the promise of settling into a routine once more. At my age routines are good.
Gerrie was traveling this weekend. She was up to Michigan for a class reunion. This means I had time on my hands to take care of things that I generally push aside while we’re home together; which is most of the time. Coming home from England and feeling somewhat inspired, I had hoped to work in the yard. But a good amount of rain changed those plans. The same way it changed plans to go to a baseball game with friends. Oh well, I suppose the rain is good thing.
Changing my plans, I came upstairs and started going through things in the office. I went through old files and reorganized some things, and, discarded more than a few things. It is all a part of my ongoing desire to simplify; to downsize. Yet when it comes to discarding items, it is easier to part with some things and harder with others.
Finding some things that were difficult to part with is what prompted me to stop and write.
I have, for many years, harbored a deep desire to relocate to Central Florida. For those who me well, they know that I love Walt Disney World and I would go there as often as possible. More recently the frequency of my trips has declined so we can travel and see other things. Still, I always wish to be there more than I am. So a few years ago I began to investigate a move. I thought, “You’re still young enough to find good employment and with a few changes and modifications in lifestyle, you can make a go of it.” Though Gerrie doesn’t share the same passion for Disney that I do, she was supportive of the idea. The planning and savings commenced.
I called and emailed a number of Chambers of Commerce in the Central Florida area and began collecting all manner of information about relocating. I started reading, looking at different areas to live, investigated job possibility and costs of living, and started making a plan. I had us on a twenty-four month plan; twenty-four months to save, organize, downsize, and so forth. Those twenty-four months concluded this past January 1st.
We’re still here.
This morning I found the files with all the notes, the brochures and magazines that I had gathered. As I opened the file and placed the contents on my desk I had a moment of pause. My first thought was to gather everything together and put them back where I found them. That is when the thought stuck me, “Life goes on Greg.” With that, I gathered the pile and placed it in my recycle bin.
It wasn’t easy. To do that was like admitting that this particular dream was over. And perhaps it is. But, perhaps it is, only for awhile. Perhaps some day I will realize this dream and live out my twilight years spending time in my “happy place.” But it isn’t for these years.
Putting these things out for recycle may mean that this is over. But, it doesn’t mean that the dreaming itself comes to an end. Oh no! I am a dreamer! I make no apologies for that. As long as there is life in this old body I will continue to dream. I will continue to dream about the places I wish to visit and the things I wish to see. I will continue to dream, and to pray, that God may one day call me back out into the mission field and that I will be brave enough and bold enough say, “God, here I am, I am Yours.” I will dream about all the wonderful times that still await Gerrie and I, the love we will share and the memories we will make. And yes, I will continue to dream of a day when I can walk down Main Street U.S.A. any day that I’d like.
So, life goes on, but I will continue to dream.
