Throughout our lives we hit bumps in the road.  Some small, merely dips. Others, nasty speed bumps that rattle your teeth.   Early on there’s school – passing, failing, moving through high school and onto college, hopefully, and beyond.  Next comes jobs or careers, not the same, by the way.  Climbing the ladder of success, perhaps.  Add weddings, kids, divorces, more weddings, more kids, grand kids, and finally, funerals.

What all these “adventures” in life have in common are moments of deep exhilaration and happiness combined with moments of profound stress and sadness.

I’m about to embark on a new life adventure.  After many years in San Diego, my husband and I have decided to move “home” to Vermont.  I put quotes around “home” because neither of us grew up there, but rather met, married and worked there for some years.  Both of us loved it: the beauty of the green mountains, the peaceful small town feeling, the camaraderie with friends we’ve maintained over the years.  And, the return to nature after big-city living.  We won’t miss the sound of planes or helicopters overhead; we won’t have to deal with the freeway traffic, parking difficulties and queues everywhere.

By the same token, we will miss jewels like Balboa Park and, of course, the moderate year-round weather.  As you can imagine, Vermont gets cold in the winter.  On the plus side, Vermont has seasons.  Very beautiful seasons, especially fall.  And I always loved the first snowfall of the season.  Cold, yes, but hey, there’s always Florida in March, right?

Most important, is that almost all of our family is back there.  All within driving distance.  Imagine.  Being so far away, we’ve rarely gotten to share holidays with brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grand-niece and nephews.  Plus, the many friends we left behind.

I am sad to part with my dear San Diego friends, but we’ve all pledged to stay in touch and I know we will.  I truly believe it.

So it’s time to embark on a new adventure in life.  Bid farewell to one beautiful place and say hello . . . again . . . to another.

What else is life about if not new adventures to keep you young and energized.  And, of course, I will continue to write.  My next book, Time Lapse, will be launched next fall.

Take me home, country roads . . .