A Memory Starts With A Dream

It's my last half hour of calm and quiet. The countdown starts. I have to pick the kids up in 30 minutes. I can write before then. Koa's sleek brown brindle body is stretched out on the warm stones of my courtyard and she is basking in the sun as we both enjoy the ocean breeze. My mini oasis. It took us years to craft our home into a little sanctuary that we love. Ok, switch gears. Time to dream.

What shall I dream of? The Europe trip that eludes me for so many years? At some point we shall have to say "to heck with the responsible thing to do" and use the money that would bail us out of some future mess. We could walk down the cobblestone streets and smell the fresh bread wafting out of the shop windows as we hold hands and quietly discover the city together. Maybe it's better that we've waited for it; now I won't run around like a crazed lunatic trying to absorb 10 countries in a week and thus wiping myself out mentally and physically to require naps that ultimately rob me of more precious time. The crazy American woman with the list in hand and the need to photograph herself in front of specific landmarks to prove she's well traveled and that she has accomplished one of her life goals. 

Instead, I shall replace her with a slightly wiser version of me that is content to go more slowly and cover less terrain for the sake of the experience instead of a multitude of destinations. It will allow me to share the experience with my best friend instead of focusing so much on me, me, me and where I MUST GO! French cafe music plays softly in the background, no really, it does right now, and I have learned that contentment in the current environment is half the battle. 

Add kids to the idyllic picture and it gets complicated. Fun and enchanting and stressful and oh so tiring, but memorable and fuller. The only thing missing would be our dog. No, we cannot bring Koa to France. Sigh. All four of us roaming about the Scottish countryside and breathing in the green hill sides does sound idyllic. I can picture the girls complaining about the food and Scott reveling in the beer and as long as I can find some good carbs I shall be quite happy. Yes, this is the dream for now.