Much has happened in my life since I last posted nearly a month ago…
In the final days of October, we re-evaluated our decision to build a home on rural acreage in Wisconsin. The 4-month experience of living minimally ‘off the map’ has been invaluable, but progress on the house was very slow. When you reach 70-years old, waiting becomes less of an option than it might have been in one’s younger years. We decided to move on.
We considered many possible venues, but after 2,000 miles of wandering, we found ourselves at our oldest son’s home in Tucson. Mrs. tVM and I decided that it is wise to re-root ourselves closer to family in a less physically challenging environment than was our original intention and will settle midway between our oldest son in Tucson and our two younger sons in the Phoenix area.
I will forever carry wonderful memories of my time in Wisconsin, highlighted by my surprise 70th birthday party, attending Stef’s Gopher soccer games as she won three Big Ten titles along with Big 10 Coach of the Year in 2016, and my wonderful neighbors on Golf View Drive. I’ve written enough about the great, contemplative experience living with Clarence on the hill. All of these memories will never fade.
It is time to move on.
Is this the final stop on the journey? I don’t know, but life will continue to be grand.
Mitakuye Oyasin
Safe traveling to your next chapter in a warmer clime. Sounds like good planing to me. Will be looking forward to more adventures from Arizona and hearing about the Kraay families in the sunny southwest.
Blessings to all of you, Sally
God bless you on your journey back to Tucson. This isn’t fair, I leave Tucson and you return. You’ll have to re-create your circle in the desert and start playing the flute again in the early morning among the stations of the cross.
I am close enough that I will plan to visit you in California. We will actually be in Casa Grande, but I plan to maintain the medicine wheel and play my flute again in the desert at the stations.
I feel good about your decision, Gene. I look forward to keeping up with your adventures. I just turned 70 last Sunday, Nov. 10. That happens to be the same birthday as Martin Luther. “71 – Second to none.”
Indeed, Randy. ’71 is second to none! Keep the faith.
Oh my goodness my dear friends! Best of luck, make sure you stop by with Clarence and your bride before you depart and know Golf View is not quite the same 😉
Fluid is the word that comes to mind. Bless this next part of your journey!
Thanks for your kind words, Betty. I regret leaving the Golf View neighborhood and truly wish we had crossed paths prior to the real estate transaction. Still, one can’t look back. I am fond of quoting Alexander the Great who said, “East, ever east,” as he conquered the world. Now, I am heartened by Horace Greely who is credited with saying “Go west, young man, go west.” Blessings to you and your family.
The journey is the reward!
We have both learned this lesson, my friend. Thank you for reminding me not to forget it!