As I pack the suitcases and get ready to leave on vacation, I realized the same suitcases have taken me through the many states of the Union and beyond. They’re scarred beyond recognition and the colors have faded through the years of use; some of the pockets are torn and the zippers need oiling. But I found inside of these cases several items I thought I had lost through the years. I wonder what else I will find in the larger of the cases.
This time, I noticed, as I was gearing for the trip, where once a pocket was used to house business cards, pens, tablets, computer cables, sample pieces, etc. it’s now being used for headache tablets, stomach discomfort salts and other ailments arriving with old age. A sobering thought. And that’s not including what Grumpy needs for his daily survival; there, you’ll find another story to tell.
Once, I enjoyed traveling through the different towns and cities while enjoying the scenery and the different cuisine offered in small out-of-the-way places, where the owner was more than happy to offer his best to everyone, every day and where you enjoyed trying the numerous flavors of the local family restaurants.
Now, I must be careful with dishes which may contain too much salt, onion, sauces, butter, grease and all other delicious combinations found in so many of the local plates. Having a discussion with a doctor where he gives you a list of food items to avoid, is not what I find conducive to a happy life; maybe a healthy one, but not a happy one.
Along with the aspirin and the Pepto-Bismol, I need to carry other items to calm the discomfort I may suffer while going through towns where there is no emergency hospital or helicopter to rush you to yet another town where they can perform emergency assistance. I don’t think I have enough suitcases to carry everything I may need in case of the emergency I’m thinking about.
Grumpy has been my traveling companion for over 40 years and is not accustomed to care for others while traveling, as he has traveled alone for many years; having another person asking for time-out or for a rest stop is not on his agenda and he doesn’t have a clue how to give comfort to others in need. I have learned to survive emergency moments while traveling with him.
We start out by having too much stuff to carry for the two weeks we’ll be gone. Then it occurs to me I have not fed the dogs, the UPS man is coming, the Fed-Ex delivery is due in about two days and I don’t remember whether I paid the utility bill this month, or picked up the mail out of the box. I must research all these things before I leave. I forgot to take the laundry out of the washing machine and put it in the dryer, I know I forgot to pick up the dry-cleaning while in town; the milk will spoil while I’m gone and the vegetables will droop before I return. Not forgetting the flower beds need daily tending or they will die of thirst. At least the dogs have enough food and water with the next-door neighbor.
This is not what I envision while thinking of vacation time or going out of town, because I’m already worried about all of these items to remember before we depart, and will worry the whole two weeks while gone. They call this a vacation?
