Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Looking Back is Bittersweet

The Eagle has Landed. We have arrived in south Florida and what a fun trip. What took us 2 full days would have taken the average bear about 10-12 hours. We had to stop and shop for bargains. Hellooo. We had the greatest time. Now we will settle in for meetings all day long for 4 days. After being away from work for 2 weeks (1st week vacation, 2nd meetings) I will not know how to act once I go back to the regular grind. Thank heaven I love what I do and it is rewarding. If I didn't love it so much I would probably be miserable thinking about having to go back to it all Monday.

We had some great chats all the way down the coast. We saw some beautiful sites and I was able to go by my old neighborhood. It has certainly changed and it made me feel sad at first, I had to remind myself that the memories I have were from 40 years ago and much changes in that amount of time. In fact, I had been craving fish from a favorite restaurant. I kept telling Paula how delicious it was going to be. We rode up and down the street looking for it and when we stopped to ask someone about it...it had closed about 5 years ago. It had been in business for many years, I think since the 50's and it was a shock that it would go out of business.

Another thing that brought me some fond memories was seeing the public library where I worked during high school. My mother would walk downtown to eat lunch with me on Saturdays so I wouldn't have to be alone and I treasure those moments with her. My eyes tear up as I write this. She was the sweetest, loving person and I was so blessed to have her adopt me. I miss her and think of her everyday even though it's been 29 years. We were so close and now I'm thankful I'm so close with my daughter.

We stopped in Delray Beach on the main street downtown and ate at a lovely little restaurant that had Mermaid in the name. We ate outside at a cute little table and had a delicious meal.
The people that were walking around and sitting at the other tables all seemed so relaxed. I needed to get away and see people having fun. I sometimes get caught up in the same old, same old and I feel like it recharges my batteries to be in such a different environment. I hope all my friends and family are having what will be a relaxing and wonderful summer.

4 comments:

Lavinia said...

What an interesting post, full of the kind of detail a friend would share over a phone call or cup of coffee. So glad you are part of our blogging community...

Technonana said...

Walking down memory lane... you always find that things have changed... we live only 1hr. from our hometown and never cease to wonder how it changes in the blink of an eye. I hope you enjoy your trip home!!!
See you when I get home from the beach!!!

Cheryl Nichols said...

Enjoyed your post! My mom just died a few weeks ago and I too am so grateful to be close to my daughter. She lives 1000 miles away but we talk every day, just like my mom and me. Have a great trip!

a woman who is said...

Your story about returning to your home town, and your mom bringing your lunch on a Sat. to share with you...you have me all teary eyed.

I have only been back to see my hometown once in 30 years. What a nostalgic trip. I couldn’t help thinking about my mom too.

Thanks for sharing such a poignant moment.