I recently entered the blogosphere only to become "blogged" down and quickly forgot about it, choosing instead to post short quips on various social media sites. Funny in small doses. Would Groucho blog?
When last I posted, my family was embarking on a yearlong sabbatical. I remember the first time, 4 or 5 years ago, that Jenny mentioned this to me by name.
"We really need to save and plan for the sabbatical if we're gonna make it happen," she said.
I nodded and probably verbally agreed all the while wondering what the heck a 'sabbatical' was. I was pretty sure it had something to do with church. I was off in my interpretation even if it is in the Bible. Turns out, in a round about way, I was right.
Three months into our year, I have found much spiritual awakening. This is in no small part due to my introduction to our new minister at CFUMC, Jim McRae. He has been a great blessing to my family and our church. The other great experience that has eluded me until now is the full feeling of family that we have just started to realize. There's something to be said for less structured activities and more room for improvisation.
But enough from the Ned Flanders side of my personality.
I have always enjoyed traveling. That is, visiting new places and cultures. However, the actual "traveling" has always left a bad taste in my mouth. I hated driving. I hated flying, but less than driving because of the obvious less time spent. I even get antsy on the ferry from St. Thomas to St. John! C'mon, there's really something wrong here.
This first three months started the same way. EVERY time I was in the car I had fingernail sensitivity and was ready to explode at the first, "Daddy, I can't find my book." I would have that nanosecond out of body experience where I was Godzilla-size, shaking our car until the intangible book appeared on the ground.
"THERE'S YOUR BOOK! LOSE IT NO MORE CHILD!"
I'm not saying it's all sunshine, lollypops and rainbows in the car now, but at least instead of Godzilla, I'm Charlie Chan, carefully examining where the wayward tome might lie. "Ah, Number One Son, where was the book when you last possessed it?"
The point I'm attempting to make, horribly, is that I'm learning what a gift every day is...What a wonder children are, even when they are on a different frequency than you.
So I will commence again, and hopefully stay the course this time, to share my thoughts and feelings with anyone who might care to read them. So far we have visited 20 states, 2 cities in Canada, logged well over 7000 driving miles, eaten in some 'once in a lifetime' restaurants and seen things that will be warmly etched in our memories forever. I am so blessed to be in this place at this time in my life. Physically and mentally...
When Lennon wrote the song, Cast Iron Shore referred to the foundry on the banks of the Mersey River near Liverpool. I found it apropos to my current situation: living with the Atlantic outside my back deck and cooking as often as I can.
Now we enter the week of Thanksgiving, having so much for which to be thankful.
I wish everyone well!
I will be posting pics from our travels that Jenny may not have posted on her blog.
brookssabbatical.blogspot.com
Please feel free to comment or contact me with thoughts and ideas, or just to catch up.
Greg
