ForeverWandering.com » On the Road

Event Horizon(a.k.a. Not all those who wander are lost)

Wanderer — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 09:39:30 +0000

It has taken me quite a while to put the thoughts and emotions from the past month into words. And, as you can tell from the title (for all 2 of you who might read this), I don’t think I can do this in just one post.

One month ago today my job ended at The Barton Center. For three-and-a-half years as the Camp Joslin Director, and two with all the camps, it was my home. Both literally and figuratively. Working there one minute, and not the next was a very confusing, emotional parting at first…which then downgraded into just plain emotional. And while the rational part of me has now accepted that (and believes it to be the best thing for me), there are still those occasional “please leave me alone” emotional spots. I’ve crossed through that event horizon from one world into another (imagine the “Stargate” television series, walking through the gate…or rather being pushed through it). As the website title (not to mention the post title) implies, I have often thought of myself as a wanderer with a purpose. I usually have a pretty good sense of direction. And only at a few times now do I find myself thinking I’m lost…wandering aimlessly…instead of wandering with a goal in mind.

As I was thinking tonight about the past month I took a look at my blog post from March 20, 2005, when I left my hospital lab job and my home camp, Camp Seale Harris, in Alabama. While I wasn’t at Camp Joslin, Clara Barton Camp, or the Day Camps for 15 years like I was at CSH, they have all been homes for me. They have all allowed me to actually enjoy my work for the majority of the time, which is more than some people can say about their careers/jobs. They all allowed diabetes to be a part of my work, and not just a part of who I was at that time.

I quote from my blog post in 2005 — “Because of it [my diabetes] and His grace, I am able to provide an environment where my wife and soon-to-be-son will, along with myself, grow spiritually as well as professionally.” And you know what? I believe that all of that happened. I even got a daughter out of it, as well.

So…another era of my life has ended. As with the last one, it is scary. But when I’m not in one of my now-occasional emotional points, I am excited about the unknown next step. I (now) truly hope that I will still be in diabetes camping but that is up to God’s guidance and my perserverance and patience.

I’d be foolish and a liar if I told you that I wasn’t also thinking about the people that I have been blessed and honored to meet over the last five plus years through these camps. I’ve shared quite a few laughs, tears and serious moments with quite a few people. But I think I’ll save that for another evening’s post…

So until then, good night all. I think I may have rambled enough for tonight…Happy Thanksgiving!

Can You Imagine?

Wanderer — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 05:39:37 +0000

When I do get the chance to take a drive — a REAL drive (long, aimless, not your normal “Sunday drive”) — I often think about what the land would look like without all the buildings, roads, utility poles…you get the picture. Without the touch of people upon it.

Today was one of those days, of course. It was a wonderful 10 hours of driving. I saw Vasquez Rocks first (see post before this one) and the just drove north into the mountains. After drinking in the mountains I drove through a huge valley for a while before hitting mountains again and heading back to L.A. All in all an outstanding day – even had a chance to see a movie!

Now…if I can just get some solid sleep on my red-eye flight, I’ll be in great shape for heading straight vack to work when I land!

Climbing

Wanderer — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:46:31 +0000

At the end of my weekend in California, I wanted to do something besides sit in a meeting or a hotel room. So I decided to drive (no big surprise there). Last time I was here I drove south for a long while before I had to turn around to head back to Los Angeles for my red-eye flight back home — so this time I went north-ish.

Upon doing a little research I found one place I wanted to go — Vasquez Rocks. Some movies and TV shows have had scenes filmed here, including a few Star Trek ones I remember.

I love wandering!

Children, Emotion, and More

Wanderer — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:58:47 +0000

So after a rough evening (“after” for me, Sarah is still with Susan) and while I’m waiting for Sarah to come to bed, I’m thinking about the many things that cause those meltdowns in our children. Mine had multiple meltdowns tonight — they’re usually okay, but meltdowns do happen occasionally. And when I say meltdown, I mean any combination of crying, defiance, screaming, running, pulling, rolling, hitting, refuse-to-go-to-bed…you get my drift.

I think that kids don’t quite understand what is going on around them — but I firmly believe that they *absorb* the emotion from around them. So, for example, if there is the feeling of anger around them — even unspoken — the child can take that anger on. They’re not equipped to deal with it in any way other than crying or becoming “angry” or something similar themselves. Not to say this always happens, but I really think it can. I also happen to believe that my children got my sense of empathy. (Believe it or not, I do get emotional…just stays inside until I feel it is okay to let go of it. But I do cry pretty easily for a “guy”…but there’s nothing wrong with it!

So…when you combine the absorption of emotions with a lot of travelling, late hours, short/no naps, and simply not being at home, that can make for a fun evening.

But then you sit back and watch them sleep afterwards (if you’re not already deep asleep yourself) and smile because you love them.

Because I Said I Would…

Wanderer — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 18:21:52 +0000

So…you might be wondering why I’m posting after another REALLY long absence.

Because I told a really good friend that I would, that’s why!

It doesn’t hurt that he told me about the WordPress for Blackberry application (which I’m using for this post, by the way), either. So here’s to trying to post regularly again!

Wyoming

Wanderer — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 01:35:33 +0000

So before I go to a conference later this week, I took a couple of days to tour around a bit in Wyoming…specifically Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. These are the scenes that make me wish I lived before this land was settled…to see this on a daily basis would be…amazing.

Observations

Wanderer — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:50:14 +0000

I’ve started regularly taking the commuter train to Boston, as I’m trying to extend the life of my car as well as save a bit of money in gasoline and tolls on the Mass Pike.I’ve always enjoyed people watching. I’ll never forget that, on my very first trip to New York City during the summer of 1998, I sat on the subway in Manhattan from the south to the north end and then went back again — just because of the different types of people I saw.It was fun to try and put stories to these people…were they coming to or from the office…were they going to visit friends…were they tourists, like me, who were just here “to be here.”

That’s why the strict…and sometimes inconvenient schedule of the commuter train is worth it. Where else can a guy who spent most of his life in northern and central Alabama see thousands of people in the span of minutes from all walks of life? It is simply amazing — and fun if I put some imagination in it and really make the background stories elaborate!

Enviro-logs A-burnin’

Wanderer — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 00:47:23 +0000

You ask what an Enviro-log is? It’s something I bought from Wal-Mart a little while ago that looks like something that a Wookie might puke up after eating something that didn’t agree with him. But I’ll tell you this…it burns for a LONG time.

So…now you might (or might not) be wondering why I’m burning Enviro-logs. I’m heading down to Alabama for a couple of weeks, and instead of staying in hotels, we’re taking the cheaper option and camping out at some state parks along the way.

Ok…now it’s time to go roast some marshmellows!

Hazard Lights = “Watch Out, I’m Being Stupid”

Wanderer — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 12:45:54 +0000

Something I *have* to comment on as I’m sitting on the Pike is people that drive with their hazard lights on.

Do you really think that putting your hazard lights on will make your driving in the breakdown lane any less illegal?

I think not. Thanks for making my long commute even longer down the road, while you try to force yourself back into a regular lane at the next exit.

Case of “The Mondays?”

Wanderer — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 12:35:07 +0000

I’m sitting in traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike. I’ve been doing this for over an hour.

Hopefully…it can only get better from here!