A Word About Travel...

Somewhere within the multitudes of aspirations of many retirees is the desire to travel. Full disclosure: Having done quite a bit of travel during the course of my career, I have to admit that it was not particularly high on my priority list, but there was one place in particular that was especially attractive to us my wife and me. Hawaii. An American tropical paradise. With the pandemic and various family obligations, we kept putting off our plans, and finally this past summer we agreed that it would be good to get away this fall.

Well, we recently returned from a ten-day tour of the Islands. In reflecting on the trip, I must say It was truly expansive. It offered opportunities and benefits that simply could not have been experienced here at home. We saw new places, learned new history, became immersed (at least briefly) in a new culture, met new people, learned the new rules of long-distance travel (bless the TSA), and mostof all, had a chance to reflect on our day-to-day lives. It was a wonderful respite from the routine. It gave the phrase “getting away from it all” a whole new meaning! Most of all it reaffirmed the gratitude we have for our health, our relationship, our family, and our friends. In a way, it is regrettable that we needed to journey 5,000 miles from home to gain this perspective, but it is a perspective we hope to cultivate and cherish as we continue our retirement journey.

Happy Holidays to all,

Rick Hearin