If the expression, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” is true, then I am laying a slow, steady path to a warmer climate. Waaaay back in July my friend Heather left for a round the world trip with her family and I said I was going to follow her virtually, learning and experiencing along the way. We started out strong, we made a going away card, we ate catfish, we went for a river walk……and then it all fell apart. My intentions were good, my execution, not so much.
Earlier this week on Twitter, Heather mentioned that they were coming up on their 100th day away. One hundred! Where the heck did that go? I suddenly felt a little sheepish. I wanted to do more. I had BIG plans. When she landed in China in September, I was relieved to hear she was there for a month. “A whole month”, I thought, “I can certainly manage to do something related to China in that time.” I had it in my mind that we would have Dim Sum in Chinatown in Ottawa and then explore the Chinese community our own backyard. Four Sundays later, we’d barely made it out of our end of town. Gymnastics, skating, cheerleading, school, parties, events, homework, housework, yardwork, workwork and oh yeah, a little sleep in there and September was gone. Before I knew it the Davis family had moved on to Australia. It’s not that we can’t do Chinatown now, but now I have to fit Australia in there somehow. Outback anyone?
Clearly I didn’t think this through, which for the record is typical of me. Act first, think later is my modus operandi. I still have it in my mind that I’ll be able to catch up somehow and get some virtual travel in before they hit the 200 day mark. Maybe. I think it’s best I remain committed to being non-committed here. I’d hate to have to write another, “ It’s getting hot in here” blog in January.
Not a day goes by though that I don’t think of Heather and her family, out on the adventure of a lifetime. Reading her boys posts make me laugh, reading her blogs make me think, shudder, smile and reflect. One of the most beautiful things about technology today is that friends are never far and we remain connected through Twitter, Facebook, Skype and e-mail. Imagine if I had to write letters to Heather? I’d always be a continent behind.
Mostly though, Heather continues to inspire me as she lives her life on her terms, making her dreams a reality. I may not be eating different foods or practicing how to say “Hello” in thirty languages, but I am learning. All of us that are following Heather on this amazing adventure are.
