4/21/08 We had the last Seder in our house last night. One of many lasts. The last Thanksgiving dinner. The last dinner party. The last time the kids visit. And a friend remarked this morning that isn’t this all a bit bittersweet. And I have to say the truthful answer is no, because I am really excited about this trip and the new life ahead of us. I am ready to move on. And our friends will visit and we’ll make new friends. And I’m also convinced our friends here will visit and see how wonderful life is in adult sleep away camp, as I call it, and that some will join us. We are the first of our group to both retire and leave the nest. We didn’t have to be pushed. In fact, we struggled to get free as soon as possible. And that is why I see what’s happening as not the lasts but, the beginning of many firsts.

4/17/08 A red car pulled into the driveway this morning. The for sale sign still hangs in the front yard with that blessed addition – sale pending. And that’s why the red car was here. Because the occupant is named JoAnna Fisher and she and her husband built our house in 1960. She lived here with their 3 children until we bought it in 1983. We have sold it to a couple who has 2 kids just a bit older than 2 of ours when we moved here. She came in and looked at all the changes, we talked of where our lives have taken us and where we’re going. We loved this house and all the memories just as she did. As she said, she was sad to go but ready. I feel badly that our grandchildren will never swim in this pool, have a holiday dinner around our table, or spend the night under this roof. But not so bad that I am not already very excited about what lays ahead. Just making more good memories.

Getting rid of stuff can be freeing for some and cause intense pain for others. Clearing out our house of 25 years has been easy for me. I am off to a new exciting life. It is interesting to see the reaction you get from people. Some looking at me as if I'm out of my mind and others seeing all the possibilities. Living in a car for the 6months or so means paring down. We just went car shopping and those trunks are pitifully small. But I see it as a new way of viewing life. I don't want to be about my things anymore. I want to be about people and adventures. Yes, I want to have clothes that look nice on me, few bad hair days, polished nails and enjoy the good life. But I now shop the sales, cut coupons and am learning about the bargain hotels. Although my recent stay at a Econolodge made me realize I must feel safe. Sleeping with the chair in front of the door allowed me a good night's sleep only because I took a sleeping pill. Won't be repeating that. And so I spent this week learning about the ferry from Portland Me to Yarmouth NS and all those provinces have to offer, hiking down and back up the Grand Canyon (somewhat daunting but am determined to do it) and asking should we pass through Oklahoma City to see the memorial. We now have a map that outlines our entire trip although it is just a guideline - not something entrenched in stone. Because that is the point of this whole trip - learning to let go of routine and our present way of life and find out what works now. Can't wait.

Road Trip. Always an exciting thought. When I was growing up we did not have a car until I was 10 so my life was one of public busses. But then the Easter break of my 5th grade year, off we drove to Florida from our home in Yonkers, NY, just outside of New York City. I still remember taking off at 6 am and driving the Jersey Turnpike. The first breakfast somewhere in Maryland. Much of the trip was off highway and I looked at all the fancy motels. Maybe someday, I thought, I’d get to stay in one of those –you know the kind. Big pillars. The motels all had a theme – desert oasis, wagon wheel inn. No red roof inns or motel 6. Imagine my mouth hanging open when I was told we would stay at one those palaces. 38 years later and I do not remember one detail about that first night’s motel. But I do remember searching for a restaurant for dinner and ending up in a town that was clearly quite segregated. I remember those bathroom doors and drinking fountains that said white and colored. Since I went to an integrated school, fully 1/3 of my elementary school was of color, this was a history lesson that taught on an on. I honestly think that my very Republican parents, had no idea that this was probably laying the foundation for my Democratic liberalness. Sort of makes our racial gaffs now seem little indeed compared to placing an entire group of people in separate and in no way equal living conditions. But that’s what a road trip is about. Seeing the details of life. Seeing what you don’t know, are not familiar with and at times are a life changing lesson.