Looking in the rear view mirror…

As we drive forward, looking in the rear-view mirror is something that happens naturally. 

Sitting here on my last day in my new home before hitting the highway for all points west, I cannot help but review all the crazy things that have happened to get me here.

To think, this time last year Mom and I were on our great adventure.  We had crazy things happen along the way, taking wrong turns that we were warned against, traveling roads to nowhere and somewhere, seeing the big fuzzy cows that no one in their right mind would want to pet.  Taking pictures of bears and elk, only to find that the best part of the picture was cut off and only in our memory.  Laughing until we were crying over the silliest things and seeing so many friends and family along the way.  Meeting our neighbors 2000 miles from home, just to have dinner and then ending up in the hospital over a bottle of Mead. It was a marvelous trip.  The trip of a lifetime!

Only to come home and discover it truly was a last hurrah for a woman who lived an incredible life full of love, laughter, and great adventure.  Mom has been in the movies, turned down autographs from famous stars and in the end became infamous herself thanks to a chance visit to Cerro Gordo.  Ultimately, she learned that although the truth is always worth speaking, sometimes silence can say much, much more.

Tomorrow, Denise, Abigail, Ginger, Milo and I will set out on a new journey.  I’m sure we will be laughing all the way. 

I’m truly grateful for each of you. I thank you for coming along for the ride!