SIMON AND GARFUNKEL HAD IT RIGHT…

Slow down, you move too fast, you’ve got to make the moment last

Just kickin’ down the cobble-stones, lookin’ for fun and feelin’ groovy

Just kicking down the cobble stones…

Feeling Groovy…

Kind of takes me back to the 60’s and 70’s when the world was my oyster, time was unlimited, and the future seemed to go on forever.  Or so I thought back then.  Now age and life experiences have slowed me down a little, wised me up a lot, bruised me a few times, and made me so very aware of my mortality.

Oh don’t get me wrong, I have had a very blessed life.  In fact, one that many might gladly change places with.  I’m married to a wonderful guy with a rock solid relationship.  Our son is healthy, happy and successfully finding his own way in life.  We are grateful for true friends and loving extended families.  Our business prospered for many years which allowed us to own a beautiful home, some measure of financial independence, and to do a fair amount of traveling.

The past couple of years brought more than our share of challenges, including some serious health issues of my own, being diagnosed with a brain tumor.  I was brought up short with the realization that I might not live forever, much to my chagrin.  I also became the primary caregiver for my mother as she battled advanced uterine cancer, coupled with Alzheimer’s Disease.  After moving her into our home in April 2012, stress became my middle name.

A story that changed everything

Last fall, my very supportive hubby showed me an article that had been published in the Wall Street Journal about a couple that had sold off their home and most of their possessions and setting out to travel the world indefinitely.  The tears started streaming down my cheeks as I read on.  They were living the life I had dreamed about for years and thankfully Tim was in full agreement.  We stayed up talking for hours that night making a plan.  The short version looks like this:

1. Sell our home
2. Sell our “stuff”
3. Turn the business over to our son
4. Travel the world for as long as we want to
5. Take lots of pictures and share our journey

We had some obligations to complete first of course.  But the wheels were put in motion…