Travel Tuesday : Firsts

Dr Spo, the sweetie, posted over the weekend about last times. The last time we see someone, visit someplace, see something, experience something. Last time happen, they are a part of life.  In thinking about his post, and writing a comment, I reflected on some the last times in my life.  I have had three major geographic moves as an adult, and let me assure you can return but you can't go back.  The place will have changed.  I have buried my share of family.  People I saw and spoke with for the last time, sometimes knowing it was likely to be the last time, sometimes not.  It is part of life.  

I also got to thinking about first times that I have to look forward to.  

I look forward to the first day, week, and month, when my time is shaped by my whims and not by the demands of my work, and the need to earn a living.  

I look forward to turning 65 and Medicare kicking in, for the first time in my adult life not being obligated to work or pay for health insurance.  I have been uninsured a couple of times as an adult - it is terrifying.  I had a year with nearly $400,000 in medical bills - not having to jump through hoops for health insurance will be wonderful. 

I look forward to the first Social Security and Pension checks. I have been filing tax returns for 50 years, paying into Social Security for that long.  I am vested in an old fashioned pension, it is a tiny one, $518 a month for life, but I earned that with several years of 50 and 60 hour weeks in public interest work.  

I look forward to being able to plan a trip away from home - really away from the office,  that is longer than 13 days.  I have an administrative duty that I have to do every two weeks, that is nearly impossible to delegate.  One of my fantasies is to rent an apartment in a foreign city and live like a local for a month.  We are getting close. 

I look forward to having dinner with Mitchell and San Geraldo in Spain for the first time, to meeting Sharon in Phoenix while visiting Spo and Someone again, I look forward to seeing the Canadian Maritimes for the first time and meeting Lawrence.  I look forward to having time to organize a gathering of bloggers, and somehow encouraging many to fly in and enjoy.  It has been done, it is time to do it again.   

I look forward to the first time traveling long distance by train, in a private compartment with the backyards of America passing by my window.   

I look forward to having time to cross the Atlantic on an ocean liner. 

Yes there will be losses and changes along the way, but for every last time, there is a first time.  I look forward to those.