I was going to blog about me because that's what I usually do ;-) But I changed my mind after I got an e-mail filled with pictures of my parents recent trip to all over (they went a lot of places). My parents have worked hard for as long as I can remember. During the week they went to work during the day and either church or school stuff at night, on the weekends more church and house chores, family stuff. We very rarely had a time when we didn't have something to do as a family. I am sure no one reading this know what I am talking about!
We went on lots of vacations but there was always that sense of getting laundry done, back to work, etc... Then about a year ago they made a decision. Retirement was beckoning. I didn't believe it. My dad has always joked about it but he loved his job and my mom, although didn't like her job, has the same fears of the unknown that I do. They kept saying it was happening, then all of sudden other people knew and it was becoming more real. Then it happened. I was happy for them but not sure what it meant. They didn't go to work anymore. I changed numbers in my speed dial and my dad got a new cel phone but what else. What were they going to do.
Travel. That's what they said. I was unsure. We are not the most spontaneous family but off they went to Florida and made a bunch of stops along the way. Every time they called they were visiting some friend or family member. It was crazy, I kept calling to make sure they were OK sure that something bad would happen because it was too good to be true.
Then tonight I got the pictures of their several week long journey. And I cried. Big, happy, thankful tears of joy. I honestly can't tell you the last time my mom looked that relaxed or my dad looked like he was having that much fun.
My parents have spent a lifetime serving God, raising two daughters, taking care of family, and giving everything to everyone else - they deserve every trip, roadside diner, hotel room and ghost town in their future.
They are driving across the country to visit Sarah and I for a few weeks at the end of the month and I can't wait to experience this new found freedom with them!
