Traveling is wonderful, one of my favorite activities.
There's a cycle that repeats during most
travel experiences, the initial planning and investigation of the journey, the
destination, activities, lodging, etc.
Then there’s the build of anticipation, followed by the actual start of
the journey, the arrival, the activities and immersion in the destination, the
people, the food, the culture. And all
along the way hopefully the traveler is making connections and memories in the heart and
mind.
And at some point and for everyone it's different, comes the
realization that the time and all the plans and activities are ending and
you have to return home. I love every aspect of the travel cycle, all that
is involved from beginning to end. And even with a very familiar destinations like Panama, there
is always something new to experience; my favorite part, the delights not
planned, not expected and the surprise of the traveler with the joy and discovery.
I know I was home this morning because a very attentive Corgi
girl was at the side of the bed at 6:00am saying “Mommy, Mommy wake up, it is
time to go outside and then breakfast”.
Morgan has a soft growl that she repeats over and over, she does not
waiver from the mission until she sees that I get up. Once the early morning routine with Maddie and Morgan
starts, they know the cadence and the order and for sure I know I am home;
their breakfast is followed by making cappuccinos from which they enjoy a tiny
bit of the milk foam, followed by them going back outside to play a bit before
they settle in for their morning rest or naps.
Maddie always rests at the top of the stairs, always wanting to be close,
but far enough that she can guard me from the world at large. Right now she is exactly there resting.
Morgan is downstairs by the door that leads to the patio.
 |
| Maddie |
The end of my travels yesterday bookended by two very
different set of events. The passenger seated next to me on the Delta flight, a lady from Panama that lived in
the States for many years. She was traveling to Atlanta to attend her
grandson’s funeral, a young boy, he’d drowned in the families swimming pool a
few days prior. I heard her share the
story briefly when we were waiting at the gate. During the flight she shared
that she was heartbroken, it was her youngest grandchild of 11, she told me she
had cried for hours and hours and she knew she had to be strong her for
daughter and son-in-law when she arrived in Atlanta. I told her I was very sorry and held her hand
for a few moments. She spoke rapidly,
sometimes in English, sometimes in Spanish, she had big round black eyes and a
bright warm smile. I helped her with a
few questions on her immigration form and told her what I knew about the new
international terminal in Atlanta.
On the shuttle bus from the international terminal back to
the domestic terminal so I could catch the MARTA train, I sat next to a lady,
probably in her late 20’s. She was in a beautiful short wedding dress and had a veil on –
looked like she had just come from her wedding.
She was seated next to a man, I was not sure if that was her husband or
a travel companion. At some point during the transit another person asked if
she was going on honeymoon and indeed she was.
The man next to her was her husband and they were headed to Venice, Italy
to enjoy a 14 day Mediterranean cruise.
She shared with the other person that she had never traveled outside of US and
was excited for to visit Italy, Croatia, Greece and Turkey. I sat a few seats away listening and thinking
of the lady on the Delta flight and how both of these moments in time are representative of the bigger cycle or journey we are all part of: LIFE.
For a few moments as the shuttle continued to makes it’s way
towards the terminal, my heart flooded with emotions of appreciation and
gratitude for the opportunity and time I had with my family, especially my
niece JoAnn and nephews, Rogelio IV and Juan Carlos. The life long bonds formed in tiny moments,
in conversations, in laughter, when sharing a meal or watching a World Cup match, the life investment for me
is significant, part of my DNA.
Maria
Elena and Roger’s home – like a home away from home, filled with love and all
the activities and energy I remember when I was a child growing up in
Panama. Certainly Panama now a country
of almost 5 million people is not the same, but the love and the values and the
history of all I know and remember is present in the daily lives of Roger,
Maria Elena, JoAnn, Jaime, Juan Carlos and Rogelio IV. It was a wonderful visit and I am so thankful for their wonderful hospitality. I hope to visit Panama again towards the end of this year.
