Bob here. It's been a while since I've written much on the blog. I somehow lost my voice after I returned from working in Los Angeles in April -- not sure why. I've left most of the heavy-blog-lifting to Brenna lately. I would shoot and edit video and post photos, but the writing... nothing seemed to come.
Today is our last full day of travel and tomorrow we return to Los Angeles. I felt like if I didn't put my thoughts down here, right now, I'd regret it later.
I've been so fortunate this year. The time I've had with my family, the things we've seen and done, and the people we've met -- it's all been a gift. I'm trying to balance the feeling of, "It's over now," with, "What's next?" What will the next chapter be? I mean - after the inevitable whirlwind of re-entry, buying cars, finding a place to live, figuring out the new routine (again) and reconnecting with friends. We've done some variation on this theme nearly a dozen times this past year. That's the easy part.
My greatest fear is forgetting what I've learned this year. To take time to be with my family, to experience life with them. I know, now, that I don't have to quit my job and leave everything behind to be able to share life together. But, it's not something I was very good at before we left. To stop and have a conversation with a stranger, to appreciate the differences and find the commonalities. To be able to breath deep and face the uncertainties and know that everything will be all right -- whatever all right looks like. To be able to change plans, when plans A, B & C don't pan out, and walk away feeling like plan D was the best of all.
I think in a word, it all comes down to buoyancy. I've had it all year. Whatever we faced, I was able to bounce back, be in the moment and enjoy the day (mostly). I don't want to lose it. I'm going to try hard.