What a long strange trip it’s been!

bySWhitley

1.2K followers

8 years ago

What a long strange trip it’s been!

Looking back, I realize that the paths I chose led me here. To this particular place and point in time. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened had I taken a different turn, made a different choice…

Growing up in Alabama, I never dreamed that the world was this big and yet this small. So big that when I was in the US Navy, it would take days to reach the destination even at full speed and the shortest route (which we never did). Today we can have a live video chat from Iowa to anywhere there is an internet connection.

In the Navy, I met People from all 50 States and some of the US Territories. Different backgrounds, different ways of doing things. When visiting other countries, I was amazed at the different cultures, the food, the people themselves. My wife and I lived in Japan for four years and enjoyed every second. When we lived off base, no other Americans were living within several kilometers from us and I think we had some of the best times of our life.

Stationed in Seoul, South Korea for a year and months, without my wife, was a culture shock and an enlightening experience. I could survive without my Maryee but it was a sad survival. Going home to “visit” was joy.

After I retired from the Navy, Maryee and I got into Foster Parenting and then we adopted two of our foster kids. We have a small bit of land and miniature horses, dogs, cats, a small flock of chickens, ducks, and geese. Somehow, we get along.

Looking ahead, I see more choices, more paths. Will I make the right decisions now? Time will tell but I am sure to look back and say:

“What a long, strange trip it’s been.”