During lunch at Eastman Kodak many years ago, I asked my good friend Bill about his recent vacation. His response was interesting. “We enjoyed the vacation. Everything went smoothly even though the logistics were complicated.” He hesitated and then added, “But you know, the best part was the anticipation and the planning.”
While I was working, I thought more about what I had to get done before a vacation than about the vacation. I would stay late at work the night before we left leaving messsages and getting things in order. I would get home, pack and be ready to leave early the next morning.
It’s different now. Our vacations are usually simple visits to Florida for a couple of weeks in a timeshare. But I start getting excited eight weeks before we leave. I have lists for packing, car maintenance, paying bills and projects to do around the house. I drive Aloma nuts by daily mentioning how many days before we leave. The vacations usually work out fine, but nothing like the anticipation.
Between vacations, I notice I look forward to simple events like lunch with a friend or a movie that Aloma and I have planned for the next week. While I was in high school I stayed with my grandmother during the week so I could play sports and not be confined by the 16 mile bus trip
after school. I remember she always had some event she was looking forward to. Often it was a 60 mile drive with her friend to get her hair done. She always looked ahead and not back.
Did I inherit her look-forward genes or is this common with most older people. I don’t have a clue.
We’re planning another visit to Florida in a few weeks. But this time I’m not even thinking about it. My next milestone is a week from today when Aloma sees her surgeon and learns whether or not she can start putting weight on her botched hip replacement.
Seasoned Man
stevelem117@gmail.com
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