Anticipation

This upcoming year, we have so much to look forward to..... The last week in February, we are going on a seven night, Western Caribbean cruise with some great friends, Floyd and Susan Cobb. Ray and I have known Floyd since we were 12/13, respectively. He was one of my best friends growing up, and Ray's as well. We went to Susan and Floyd's wedding and have managed to stay in touch over all of these many years. As much as we expect to enjoy the cruise and all that that entails, we are most excited about being there with our friends.

In late April or early May, we are planning to fly to Oregon, rent a car, and go exploring the north and central parts of the state and well as the west coast. We will dip into northern California to visit the Redwoods National Park, which is Ray's most favorite part of our trip. Seeing the giants has always been a big thing to him.

The following August, we will hook up the travel trailer and take off on a northern route, stopping to see friends and family in Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan. From there, we will head west, our destination - Glacier National Park. Our ultimate goal is to loop through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, hit eastern Oregon, and hopefully, Yosemite, before heading home. It looks daunting on the map. We'll have to see how it goes.

We've bought some excellent books on the area recommended by the Kestens. They have done all of the national parks and are great encouragers, as well as a fount of knowledge!

Looking back is important and reflection is necesssary, but, WOW!, looking head like this is really fun!

A New Year

As I sit here on a day I had looked forward to with so much anticipation, I have decided that being totally bummed out by changes in plans is also totally counterproductive. You know, the more special people are to you, the more you care about their happiness. So my pitiful "oh poor me, my plans are disrupted," it not only useless, it is selfish. When you love, truly love, you are no longer #1 in considering how disappointments should be handled.

I have so much to be thankful for. I never want to lose sight of the joy I receive from the people, family and friends, who are in my life. It isn't anything that they do, it is just enough that they are.