I listened with cringe-worthy attention as a co-worker described a honeymoon trip her son and his new bride were planning.
A Mediterranean cruise, a tour through Croatia, ending with a stay in Turkey. The trip was highly anticipated, and the planning of it was as detailed as the enormously grand wedding preceding it.
No desire
What I was silently thinking: I have no desire to leave the country. I wouldn’t be surprised to know that many others might think this, meaning the USA. When I gave it more thought, I realized what I really mean is I have no desire to leave my little patch of country. Awakening each morning to a wide horizon of brightening sky out the double windows facing east is something I appreciate enormously.
At daybreak, I step out on to a tiny porch built in the 1840s to get a feel for what today will bring. As I look out across the pastures I wonder how many have done this before me on this very spot.
This morning, a light fog preceded the sunrise. I could barely make out the sheep in the far pasture, gathered in small clusters, nibbling at the grass.
Return home
This is a pretty little farm. It is not stately or majestic or award-winning. It is a solid place that has been well-loved over many years. It is shaded by ancient, enormous trees. When I return home from a long day away, there is a gratitude in my bones as I arrive back here. This is home, and we are lucky to be here. It is quiet and peaceful and always interesting. It makes me feel as though I don’t want to leave, because no place else gives this lovely tranquility.
Life is filled with purpose, and there is joy in work. Someone told me recently the only reason he is still working is to be able to afford extravagant trips. He saves up vacation time in order to stay away longer, and said he would rather travel than own a home, if forced to choose.
No traveling gypsy
I have never been a traveling gypsy, and I find that I am becoming less interested in exploring how others live. I find myself tuning out the national news, finding it all too frustrating and sadly beyond our own fixing. What once would have fired me up now makes me long to retreat from it all.
It is good that we all are wired differently. As one takes flight another sinks roots a little bit deeper. And the sun keeps coming up tomorrow.
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