Oh The Places You'll Go

One of the things I love about travel is that it changes me.  It makes me think of what I really love in life, and where I really want to go.  The answer, a resounding ~ my own backyard.  Business travel, even on a generous expense account, is anything but glamorous.  I'm learning about a new agoraphobic side of myself, one that eschews crowds, and is even sick of fine dining. 

The view from the Michigan Avenue Westin is of Lake Michigan, one of the best views in the city probably, in a beautifully appointed luxury hotel, but I'm alone.  Have been alone for a week, and five more days to go before my husband joins me here.  I miss him.  The small things, watching House Hunters together in the warm comfort of our living room while the winter wind wages war outside our windows, making healthy and delicious meals in my kitchen with my equipment, going to bed with my best friend.  But, it's important for me to travel and realize this.  It is too easy for me to grow complacent in my job, my life, and wish for bigger and better things.  But the truth is, I'm pretty happy in Wyoming.  Sure, my job could be a bit more exciting, the winter could be a bit shorter, but if I need to go someplace, I jump in my giant SUV and poof, there I am, no traffic, no lines, no hassle.  I lament the lack of restaurants where we live.  The truth - I love to cook, and I would rather eat my cooking than any fine dining, any day.  But if you don't travel, you don't know this.  If you don't face loneliness among crowds, you don't appreciate that you get to live and work and play and laugh with your best friend. 

Shocking news this week brings the loss of a co-worker, for greener pastures.  I have not once counseled him to stay if this is a better deal.  It will be a bummer of a spring/summer/fall for me as we find and train another person, but I am happy for him, it's where he wants to be.  Then it hit me, I trained him, I developed him, so seeing him succeed is pretty darn cool for me.  It will suck to not work with him, to not vent to him, brainstorm with him, but people come and go in your life for reasons.  A quote from the Outsiders, "Nothing gold can stay." 

So I spend a week in Chicago by myself, to be joined by my husband for a few days of play.  It's all good.  I never dreamed I would have this much opportunity to experience the world.  I don't intend to take it for granted.