Here I sit in Kuwait. I am leaving the day after tomorrow if all goes to plan. I hope that I don't get delayed because sitting around is hard to do when you are so close to the end. The past few weeks have been pretty interesting. The first people from our unit to leave Afghanistan got delayed several days and turned into whinny little brats. Then our group got delayed and to my shock and awe, they all kept thier spirits high and there was a real positive energy about them.. In fact, the tent was almost like a party the night that we got delayed.
I am traveling with some of my good buds. That makes stuff alot easier. There are plenty of Sgts. that are acting like children. It is always easiest to blow off the authority figures if you are in a group of delinquints. I don't know if it is really fair to call my friends "delinquints" per se. More like hooligans. Genuine delinquints deserve more respect than to be lumped in with them.
I am cutting this post short due to a complete lack of content. You don't even get photos this time.
Hopefully I don't have time to write to you readers back home in TV land again until I get to the "Big Walmart"(a.k.a. the US of A).
Later Gators.
63 Years of Memories....
63 Years of Memories....
that's what I have now. The photo below shows the chair on the point which for so many years was my father's favorite after-supper place to contemplate and cast for walleye. As much as I feel guilty about what's happened, I know he would understand and even say there's nothing to forgive. He lived life fully and moved on many times. I'm the one with the unique experience of being attached to a beautiful place for my whole life. And despite all my best efforts, yesterday the 'cabin' was sold. I signed the papers and, truth be told, a weight was lifted. A new life lies ahead without the obligations, but with all of the wonderful memories. My unrelentingly positive attitude says this is truly how it is, but my heart is still sad.
There are some things in life for which the balance between the obligation and the joy of ownership often cannot be sustained forever. It became clear that I was no longer up to the task of taking care of the place quite a while back. However, knowing what needs to be done and doing it are often far apart. Finally, no choice was left. It had to be sold.
Now it's gone. No more worrying about how long the grass or how deep the snow is up there. No more sublimely pleasurable early morning cups of coffee sitting on the dock when the color of the lake is like pale blue glass and the air is completely still. No more endless repairs, high taxes, and utility bills. No more late nights around the fire pit with friends and family - warm from both fire and friendship. No more frozen pipes or emergency calls to the furnace guys. No more saunas and midnight skinny dipping that make you feel like you'll live forever while your connection with nature is confirmed by the gazillion stars of the milky way and the loons calling out in the dark. No more concerns with low well water levels or water so hard and full of iron the clothes turn yellow and your newly washed hair feels like brillo. No more finding the way home by boat in the dark after a long day on the lake feeling like this is the only place you really, really belong. No more praying that the boathouse will make it another year without collapsing. And ultimately, no more making new memories with friends, family and loved ones. No new memories, that is, at Half Bay, Lake Vermilion, Tower, MN. New life... here we come!
How do you thank a place for memories?
3 comments:
Nice title.
We're all cool-waiting for you to get home here in the frozen section of the 'big Walmart'. -13 this morning! I'm sure you'll have a warm welcome when you land in NY despite the temp!
Hugs, Mom.
Bert,
I have really enjoyed staying in tune with your adventures, musings, and spectacular photography over your time overseas. This afternoon when I checked the blog, I can honestly say I was relieved to see that you look to be headed home. The next time you head back to the frozen Prairies of MN, I look forward to getting a visit in...be well,
Sam
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