The Journey

My life journey began on August 10 many decades ago, but my latest journey began June 8, just over two months ago. June 8 was my official retirement date….and by early August I had already signed a 4 month contract for part-time work in another city. I had planned to spend a couple of months there with my son and daughter-in-law, so it wasn’t too much of a change of plans to double that time and get paid for it, but it wasn’t in my original plan. In fact, there really was no original plan, only that I would retire and make decisions sometime in the future.

On June 8th I started out on a trip across Canada from Victoria to Halifax. My intention was to drive between 9 and 12 hours each day then write about my day before heading to bed. I soon realized that I was far too exhausted to think of anything interesting to write. This is the fourth post in over two months.

Now I am on my journey back to the west coast, and half-way through a 2-week stay in the prairies to look after my granddaughter. The front porch is the best part of this home — it’s my sanctuary early in the morning, throughout the day, and into the evenings. I spend a few minutes at a time until I get either too hot or too cold (the weather is all over the map!!), between babysitting duties and between times when I need to be downstairs and out of the chaos of this small family.

The journey this summer was supposed to be a chance for me to decide what I want to do next. Options are numerous, yet each choice will potentially have a huge impact on those I love, and on my future. I added many new songs to my road-trip playlist, including this one sung by H.E.R. The lyrics seem to express what I’m feeling most days.

All the times you thought you’d never make it through
Felt just like the world just turned its back on you
Didn’t stop you
All the times you could’ve given in, and given up
Times you didn’t know if you were strong enough
Still you got through

Somehow it’s all part of the plan…..

It’s the journey
It’s the getting there to where you’re going to
Going through hell, but still, you’re gonna make it through
It’s the fire that they can’t put out

All the times they thought that they could hold you back
But you’ve always known there was no chance of that
You’re made too strong
And when you’re going with your heart, you can go
Further than you’d ever thought possible
Prove them all wrong

It’s a part of the bigger plan
The journey…

from The Journey, sung by H.E.R. (songwriter Diane Eve Warren)

In a week from now I will resume my journey back to my current home. It’s the Journey that takes me places and teaches me, makes me stronger and more confident. With every temporary destination along the way this summer I find myself thinking about the next part of the journey, and the next destination. I wonder if I will ever feel like I have arrived.