No Roots and Old Roots

Amazingly enough even when you currently have no set roots you always have your past roots and connections. Recently I had the opportunity to o back to New Jersey to help my sister get ready for yet another move.  But this time, to settle in for the long haul. While this visit was short, I was amazed at how many things I did and how many of my dear friends I was able to connect with. I first met up with Mike and Christine and their daughter Cathleen. I have known Mike for like near 38 years and he has been my accountant as well. I literally had not seen his wife or daughter for probably 30 of those years.  It was a quick meeting but so meaningful.

The first few days at my sister’s temporary place were full of unpacking old boxes my sister had that hadn’t been touched in years and just kept being moved from place to place. And years I mean like 20.   So many of these had lost treasures, but most were things to purge. And when I say A LOT…..I mean that literally.  After just 4 days we had managed to load 48 large trash bags of items going to the dump, 16 bags of clothing items/4 bins of books /2 boxed of household items all went to Good Will.  And all that was just touching the surface.  It was a lot of work, but it also gave us some time together and that was great. Time to laugh and celebrate her upcoming birthday out with a few friends in tow at our favorite restaurant Café Navonna. (and my favorite owner Marco).  OH….and did I mention that it snowed while I was up there….IN APRIL.  

Taking a break one evening I ventured out to have an evening visit with long time friends Ev and Vince and Dana and John.  We celebrated Dana’s birthday which was such fun while hanging out by a roaring fireplace and catching up on all our lives. I truly treasure these times as they are fewer these days. But we will work on that going forward.

Then it was time to take leave from my sister’s place and head further north to meet up with yet another friend Renee. I had time to travel the many roads that I used to take so often.  Watching the scenery along the way and the changes that have taken place. I was heading to New Paltz to the Mohonk Mountain House to spend a few days just us gals.  Renee figured I would need a rest after all the unpacking and repacking etc.  Boy was she right.  I was exhausted and I think the first night I fell asleep instantly. This place was just magical.  It included all our meals and all kinds of hiking, yoga, a pool you name it.   We spend endless hours talking, laughing, and even took in a dance class, yoga classes, a few hikes and archery.   We wanted to do the axe throwing, but it was closed due to the snow. Then….an additional surprise. Renee and I went for the afternoon tea that they served each day and low and behold….in the line across the room I saw a woman that looked like someone I knew.  Not being shy, I walked over to her and said “Lynn?”  She turned around and sure enough it was Lynn.  And then her husband Steve appeared.  They asked what I was doing there as they knew we were living on the road right now. I hadn’t seen them in person in years but we had kept in touch over social media. It was so special to see them and we even took time together one evening for a few drinks to chat some more. Renee and I had such a grand few days together that flew by.  Again, it was time to say good bye and that was hard. You see with us planning to travel out west we really won’t see any of these friends or family for a long time.  So, this was so special to me.  But….I wasn’t done yet. As Renee and I parted ways, I thought about my route back to the airport and realized that I would be passing by another friend’s home.  I called Bert and Dolly only to find them home and being visited by one of their daughters and 4 of their grand kids.   I only had like 2 hours to kill before heading the airport and they were thrilled to have me.  We so enjoyed our short visit and looked forward to seeing each other next year.

Who would have known that this trip to help my sister would have turned into such a collection of reunions.  It was such an amazing blessing and I am so grateful that everyone found time for me.  I guess you really never do lose your roots. They stay and exist in the people you treasure.