If I could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Interesting question, and one that made me put on my thinking cap.
After working in many places in the U.S., a job opportunity brought us to Louisiana. When our kids were grown, life threw us a curveball, and the job that brought us here vanished. For a period of time, we stewed over our misfortune and wondered what to do.
And then…
Out of the blue, (As an aside, let me explain. I interpret the phrase “Out of the blue” to mean “Then God stepped in.”), a former coworker called to let us know that both hubby and I were invited to submit our resumés to a power plant in Plymouth, Massachusetts. We did so, and bada-bing, bada-boom, we were accepted.
Plymouth proved to be a lovely, quaint seaside town. Friendly people, squawking seagulls, beaches, parks, and loads of history which included a replica of the Mayflower and Plimoth Plantation, a “living” museum of sorts where actors reinacted life as it was back in the 1600’s.
Despite having good jobs and living in a beautiful, peaceful town, pieces of our hearts were empty without our family – which now included grandchildren we seldom got to see.
After five years, we retired and returned to Louisiana.
Yes, Plymouth was lovely. The Rocky Mountains of Colorado had been breathtaking. The Great Lakes up north were awe-inspiring. And we’ll always remember the rolling hills of Pennsylvania dotted with Amish farmland with a degree of fondness.
But in the end, Toto, there’s no place like home. For us, home means family. Traveling is nice, but in truth, I’d rather stay right here. With them.
I’m just sitting here waiting for my second cup of coffee to magically move from the kitchen counter, where I left it, to my office, where I’m too lazy to get up and go get it. Maybe if I see hubby going that way…
Here’s a thought. Totally random. I remember when a friend and I went to a writer’s conference where we listened to two motivational speakers. One was very interesting, the other, meh. Anyway, we all left the room pumped up after the one particular guy’s presentation. Yeah, we’re gonna do this! Wow, wasn’t he good? Man, am I amped up. Woo-hoo!
But what it all amounted to, come to think of it, was getting our psychological balloons inflated with hot air. Then, when the rah-rah-rah wore off, we were in the same boat as before. We all wanted success, and it was nice to hear about his series of lucky breaks, how pieces fell into place, and the stars lined up to create stair-steps to the pinnacle of literary fame.
Irene Onorato 