Fresh Eyes

I always have a hard time adjusting after a vacation. I live in a kind of numb routine until I go away. When I come back the numb is gone, and I question all of the routines.

Now that I am back, I wonder how I could let $20 bills spill out of my pocket so easily for pizza, coffee, movie seats, haircuts or a baseball hat. $20 in Ecuador has an impact.

I wonder about my constant connectiveness. I am plugged into the news, my blackberry, IM's, and e-mails for every waking moment of my day. Nobody I know has swung in a hammock for a long time.

I think about the need to be doing. With all I have, and all that is given to me why do I still have an urgent list of things that preceed happiness? What if I just stop where I am and be grateful for the blessings of my great family.

I love my family. I am sorry that I don't spend more time "connected" to them. I wish we had a row of hammocks to swing in and really talk. Life without a TV, an alarm clock and a shopping list was prerry jarring to my system. I am glad I got a fresh perspective.

The older I get, the more I have to learn.

Back from a different time

I have been home from Ecuador for less than 12 hours, but felt really moved to post.

I don't intend to recount my trip on this post, that would be too tedious for anyone to read. I do want to say how moved my spirit was with the people of Ecuador.

I just left a store where the 20 year old cashier snatched the cash out of my hand before I reached out to him. I thought "How un-Ecuadorian of you." I just came to respect a slower, more cooperative, less aggressive pace for the 9 days I was gone.

My highlights came when we went to the homes of Sabrina's family and friends. It was delightful to see how ordinary people live and interact. I felt like they were my family too.

I am glad to be home. I am grateful for the big things we have here. At the same time, I will miss the million small courtesies, and peaceful souls.