As we were heading out yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but think of the line from the movie, “Doc Hollywood” – “Back to the Interstate, Ben Stone.”
Indeed, we were on our way to the interstate as we drove Holly to catch her plane back to France. She is resting in Cherbourg tonight after a long journey back. Her two-week Christmas break was wonderful but, as those things go, it went by incredibly fast.
As we were hugging goodbye in the Nashville airport yesterday, I was thinking, “Weren’t we just hugging ‘hello’ in the Atlanta airport?”
If you haven’t seen the movie I referenced, the quote references the fact that he main character (Stone) is getting back on his journey of life after a bit of a detour. I won’t give you any more spoilers – it’s a great movie in case you want to see it – but the quote definitely applies here.
Indeed, it was a quick two weeks and Holly is back in France to start the second half of her teaching assignment. Paul will return to college for spring semester next week. He’s already making plans for summer work and we’re all discussing plans for summer vacation.
These comings and goings, I think, are part of a process as our family transitions from one phase to the next; from ‘growing up’ to ‘young adult.’
Before you get the idea this post is that of a whining empty nester, let me say it is far from it. This column is a celebration of two young people who have been prepared to do great things and now they are off doing them.
Our Christmas break was a wonderful time to renew traditions, to catch up and to spend special time together. As these two young people prepare for the next chapters of their lives, such times will be treasured.
Meanwhile, one of Holly’s check-boxes on the to-do list when she was home was to take the GRE Exam. This signals her plan for the next chapter (after France). Grad school. (She also had check boxes for foods she wanted to sample, including our favorite BBQ establishment, Archer’s; our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Mezcal and several samplings of her beloved macaroni and cheese).
As for future plans, there will be similar steps along the way for Paul (he enjoys the macaroni as well). And there will be first jobs. Career moves. Family.
It’s all natural.
There will be similar breaks in the future and we’ll celebrate triumphs. Then, again, it’ll be time to go back to the interstate. The road of life has several exit ramps and myriad rest stops but the journey continues.
That’s a fact we cherish.
JG
Originally posted 1/5/2013
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