At the Desk After On the Road

I arrived home after my three-week road trip down Route 66 on Sunday afternoon. Monday a.m. found me at the desk preparing the content for the August issue of Senior Times. All the while, despite the rush and the feeling I would never catch up, a soft glow filled with memories of days well spent exploring this country permeated my mind.

This trip, planned for over a year, almost ground to a halt hours before it began. My purse and briefcase were both snatched from the front seat of my car while I ran errands. I must have forgotten to lock the driver’s side door while I ran into the post office or I punched the wrong button on my key control. I know I would never knowingly have left such precious cargo unattended.

The purse and cell phone I could handle with just a slight headache. But the laptop? I realized that little old piece of machinery had become an extension of my life and career in the five years I owned it. All gone.

I did not know how I could leave for such a long trip without the ability to do my job long distance, but somehow I managed it. This trip could not wait while I figured out how to live without the material possessions that had begun to own me.

Despite having to rely on the cell phones of everyone else on the trip so the office could call me when needed and the difficulty of using an old PC laptop of my traveling companion, Joy, I began after a few days to enjoy the freedom of not having to answer the phone or return e-mails immediately. Crystal Henry, who helps me out in the editorial department, became my clearinghouse, and I knew if anything major developed she knew how to reach me.

The world did not stop spinning nor did it infringe on my ability to enjoy my friends and daughter on this incredible journey through eight states. I could have stayed home and harbored anger at my burglar — my intentions in the overwhelming hours after it occurred — but that would have accomplished little.

And I would have missed the Gemini Giant, the Leaning Water Tower of Texas and the Roadkill Café. And I would have missed a whole lot of laughter and wind through my hair in the desert.

I know I promised a road trip travelogue in this issue, but with all the catching up upon my return, I only managed my column about the characters we met along the way. But in September I plan to give full coverage to this trip — all 2,200 miles of it.

As summer winds down, I hope this issue gives you inspiration to get back to school, either as a volunteer or student. And if that doesn’t interest you, perhaps our pieces on Hawaii will inspire you to get on the road.

Whatever it is your heart desires, I advise to do it and do it now, despite any adversity that might be thrown in the way.