I have been spending the last week in DC with my buddy Josh and his family. While I would say I have been resting, keeping up with three young kids has kept me busy. There has been Taekwondo practice, frisbee, bowling, walking to school and pickup, reading 20 minutes every day, Legos and family meals. So fun but maybe not rejuvenating.
I also popped over for lunch with Uncle Dick and his wife. So good to see them and catch up on the family.
Then off to dinner at the Dance household to check in on Jason. Jason is in good spirits and moving around better than I expected. I would have made the trek just for Jason but crab cakes and steaks made Jason very secondary. Thank you Sandy and Andy for your warm hospitality.
I have done well putting weight back on. I tried to slow down the eating but everyone was such fantastic hosts I am certainly half way back to my starting weight.
Everyone keeps asking if the trip changed me and if I had any deep insightful epiphany concerning the meaning of life? I am sure I have changed but I think the transformation will reveal itself slowly over the coming months. Fundamentally I am the same but I am sure insights from my travel will change my reaction to issues and struggles. I also hope having met so many people from such different backgrounds will increase my empathy and willingness to listen to other ideas and opinions. That last bit seems like a stretch but we can hope.
And no, I did not discover enlightenment. I mostly feel the emotional valley I have always felt after a long endeavor. It all seems a little silly and aging has not reduced my jaded tendencies. Half of me is planning the next adventure (don’t worry Rusty it will not require nearly as much time off) and the other half thinks settling down and adopting a more typical life is long overdue.
What I do know is the time has come to return to work. Both career work and the work of living. I am excited and nervous but I have been here before.
I will post more wrap up content as I enter the “real” world.