We just ended two weeks of constant company...The kind where one group leaves and two hours later the next arrives. It was a whirlwind two weeks and time that we thoroughly enjoyed. It is genuinely so nice to be able to share with family and friends the warmth of Florida and the fun of the Villages. And while company can disrupt schedules and play with the consistency of one's life, it is great to enjoy the company of others.
Our favorite guest, of course, was dear old DAD. Show of hands please....how many "Daddy's girls" out there? Well, I am! I was always close to my father. Some of my happiest childhood memories are the evenings playing catch in the backyard until the daylight disappeared. The nights that he came home with two tickets to a White Sox game were special. We would sit in the auxiliary press box at old Comiskey Park watching the game amidst the reporters while he taught be to score the game.
Dad spent a week with us. He has slowed down a bit over the past couple of years, but he has also been invigorated by opportunities that are available to him now that he is no longer a care giver. His friend Nancy who joined him on the trip is a nice companion and someone who's company he clearly enjoys.
We played two rounds of golf together. Playing with borrowed clubs, the old guy is pretty amazing-- 150 yards at a time he makes his way around the course--never in trouble, not knowing what a hazard is. (What a boring way to play golf!!) He didn't balk at a single suggestion for the days' activity and rolled with whatever we were doing.
He had the chance to visit with former colleagues and he so loved that. Telling old stories, catching up on family and eating our way through the afternoon was very enjoyable for him. The meet-up was at Universal's CityWalk and our hosts had connections to the park which got us passes in. And while I am sure that wandering Universal Studios was not high on his list of favorites, he did enjoy people watching. We traveled the park, bench to bench, got drenched by an afternoon Florida rainstorm, and in short enjoyed the time together.
Time to leave came way too soon, and I worried about the two of them navigating the Orlando airport. I went as far as I could with them before bidding them safe travels. He recognized my anxiety and called when they got to the gate to say " Stop worrying-We made it".
The longer I live, the more I realize that time well spent is one of our greatest assets. Rushing through our day simply gets us to the end of the day....Taking time to enjoy our own and others' company makes for time well used.
HIP HIP HOORAY!!