Thursday, February 24, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
My first blog... Let the journey begin
In a day and age where the smog of negativity is thicker and more toxic than ever before... the debt, unemployment, crime, the stench coming from the upper echelons of our Government (both sides), the blogs about the next celebrity caught in a faceplant (literally and figuratively), etc... I thought I'd share a different facet. For those who do not know me, I have spent the last 2 years watching over my parents while they fought against their respective terminal illnesses. Before that, I spent the better part of 2 years putting myself in a position to be there for them when the need arose. My mom (Madeleine) had Chronic Lymphatic Leukemia, and passed on 1 day short of her birthday in April 2010. My dad (Robert) has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome and has been fighting a Squamous Cell Carcinoma in his neck and now lungs. I have long ago, willingly, dropped any long term commitments that might hinder my ability to be there for two wonderful people that were always there for me. I can honestly say I do not regret any of the decisions or sacrifices I've made in the last 4 years.
The only long term plan I have afforded myself over the last year has been the idea of a road trip. We ALL need something to look forward to... a glimmer of Hope if you will. I have been a world traveler since before I can remember. I have lived in countries that MANY people couldn't point out on a map. Maybe that had something to do with the scope of the vision I had for my "destination". How far can I drive? Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina? 6,050 miles one way... 86 degree difference of latitude(considered it, but WAY too "sketchy"). Fairbanks, Alaska? Only 3,550 miles as the crow flies, but I'm no crow. Not to mention, crows aren't dumb enough to try it. I want to emphasize that this is not really about the "destination". The challenge, the freedom of the road, the "unexplored" territory and everything in it, the distant relatives and friends that we haven't seen in years because they live over "there"... the new friends we'll make along the way. AAAAAAAAHHHHHH the stories we'll have to tell! Well, I hope so anyways. We won't always be within a stones throw of a cell tower or land line, but we hope that we can share our stories and pictures we take along the way.
Tentative departure date, April 7th
The only long term plan I have afforded myself over the last year has been the idea of a road trip. We ALL need something to look forward to... a glimmer of Hope if you will. I have been a world traveler since before I can remember. I have lived in countries that MANY people couldn't point out on a map. Maybe that had something to do with the scope of the vision I had for my "destination". How far can I drive? Tierra Del Fuego, Argentina? 6,050 miles one way... 86 degree difference of latitude(considered it, but WAY too "sketchy"). Fairbanks, Alaska? Only 3,550 miles as the crow flies, but I'm no crow. Not to mention, crows aren't dumb enough to try it. I want to emphasize that this is not really about the "destination". The challenge, the freedom of the road, the "unexplored" territory and everything in it, the distant relatives and friends that we haven't seen in years because they live over "there"... the new friends we'll make along the way. AAAAAAAAHHHHHH the stories we'll have to tell! Well, I hope so anyways. We won't always be within a stones throw of a cell tower or land line, but we hope that we can share our stories and pictures we take along the way.
Tentative departure date, April 7th
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