Summer Vacation Reflection

I took a late summer vacation with my 2 boys to Baltimore, Washington DC and Pittsburgh. It was an eye opening vacation. Although we didn’t go to any beautiful, extravagant vacation spot, such as the beach, it reminded me of where I have come from and how important relationships are. The whole trip was initiated by my older son’s desire to attend an Engineering camp and my sister’s 50th birthday. The timing worked out that he could attend a session at American University in DC, only 4 hours from Pittsburgh where my sister lived.It seems during our “midlife” years, we attend just as many funerals as we do graduations and/or weddings. We are between our aging, elderly relatives and the younger relatives beginning a new independent life. Unfortunately by the time I arrived in Pittsburgh, my 98 year old grandma had passed away and I was attending a funeral only hours after debarking the Amtrak train. However, I am grateful that in April when my dear Aunt had passed, I decided to bite the bullet, even though I didn't have the money, and book a last minute, expensive flight to Pittsburgh for her funeral. It was during this trip I had the opportunity to visit my grandma who was doing well at that time. What was special to me about my grandmother’s funeral was this was the first time in probably 18+ years in which all of my cousins on my mother’s side were together-all 10 grandchildren, plus 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren attended the funeral.When my mother was alive, family gatherings were a priority and mostly organized and encouraged by her. Since her passing, it has not been a priority and no one else has picked up her torch and carried on the tradition. In addition, since then all of my cousins have married, had family’s of their own and moved away from Pittsburgh, as far as Florida, Minnesota, Texas, PA, Virginia and Georgia. It was a blast reminiscing though about our crazy Christmas Eve gatherings and such. It felt good to be surrounded by family. I only wished we lived closer.It was great to have nearly 2 weeks off of work and not feel like I always had something to do, like my everyday life at home which can leave one exhausted all the time. I leisurely spent time with my family and visited several friends who I had not seen for years. The warmth and revival of my soul I experienced during these intimate visits with friends supercharged me. However, on the flip side it sadly reminded me how I lack these types of friendships in my hometown in Texas. I lack that connection with other women in my community. I desire to have that but I haven’t done my part in trying to develop these local friendships. My goal this fall is to find another woman I can create a friendship with.Reflecting on the trip, I realized it is important to not wait until tragedy strikes to spend time with family and friends. It is my family and friends who have sustained me during difficult times with thoughts, prayers, support, and love, not my social media connections. I wish I could have continual connection with my family and friends though. There are times that I dislike the excuses of lack of time and distance. I do wish we all lived closer. Even though we are led to believe that since we live in this great technological age, that we can connect with anyone, anytime. To me, it just doesn’t satisfy the soul like a face to face intimate conversation with a friend who has known you for years and can look into your eyes and read your emotions. Sorry "Face Time" and "Skype" but it’s not the same. As I age, my desire to return to the simpler things in life resonates  stronger and the need for true, authentic relationships are essential! I hope you will be inspired to re-connect with family and friends that you find special or have lost contact with or maybe develop a new friendship. I'm going to step out of my comfort zone and make an effort. Friendships take work, but in the end many are worth it.