Last Of 2022

      Knocking this out today! Last one of the year. I know I haven’t done 52, but I think I got closer than I did last year. Certainly better than the year before that, etcetera. I’m almost nervous to say that I see next year as having the potential to be awesome. This year has been a bit of a doozy. I am excited to think about the potential of next year. It’s just scary to think about. This year started off with me barely being able to walk. Then about the time that got “better” I wasn’t able to use my wrist. Then about the time that got "better," our daughter had to move in with us. That is still continuing, and hopefully one of the things that shall change this year. We love her, but she needs her own space. My wife got offered a new job, that we thought was a blessing, that turned into a curse, the stress of which caused her to have a seizure, and loose her license. Rounding the year off with a return to her dream job, and a wonderful vacation. That’s a lot! Well, actually, looking at how easily I summed it up, it doesn’t look like all that much, but it sure felt like it. If I can walk pain free on Sunday, the year is already starting off better. I think it will. But, I still sometimes feel that things can be jinxed. I’ve seen/heard way too many times where a field goal kicker will line up for his kick, and the announcer will mention that “he’s never missed from this distance before,” just to watch the ball sail so far off to one side or the other, that it couldn’t even be caught by the net they have behind the goal post. Sometimes hoping too much for something can put too much pressure on it. Gracefully enjoyed is how I hope to imagine it. Even though I know it means getting stuff done, making important changes, and getting back on track.

     Our vacation was, in a word: Amazing! I’m not sure I could describe it. Or perhaps the fact that I’m going to try to describe it in such few words will help me get to the point. Much like my summation of the year. My wife and I have returned changed people. This vacation was necessary. I am so glad we made this happen. There were times when I almost cancelled it. Due to cost or other varying factors. But I’m so glad I didn’t. We both took Spanish in High School, and have lived in Southern California our whole lives, so we thought we’d be able to handle the language difference without too much trouble. That was not necessarily the case. We did okay, but there were a few shaky moments. Luckily, and thankfully, there was no shortage of people willing to help us. That is one of my major take aways from this trip, the Mexican people are very helpful and kind. I was in awe of their kindness on more than one occasion. The only disgruntled, rude people we met on our whole way there were the other Caucasians sitting behind us. Total entitled typical assholes. The reason some people don’t like “us.” I thought: “What a coincidence that we were sitting together.” Luckily, they were the only ones we met. We didn’t really even meet them, we were just aware of their existence. One of the things I’m most proud of is a genuine feeling that when other people interacted with us, they knew we were not one of “them.” I do not have the feeling that “they” got much help from the locals. I could be wrong, it’s just a feeling I had. As a person who traveled through many countries as a younger person, I was surprised how different it all felt. I definitely felt like I was having a new experience. Then again, I haven’t traveled in nearly half my life.

     The resort we stayed at was pretty cool. It was our first time staying in an all-inclusive resort. I liked it. It was kind of like being on a cruise. The only thing was that the closer we got to Christmas, the more children showed up. By the time we were leaving, it was family central. Not really my cup of tea. If we do anything like that again, I’m going to try staying at an adults-only resort. Screaming children is not how I like to relax. There wasn’t much for them to do anyway. It seemed selfish of the parents to bring such little kids to a place like that. The whole point of the trip for us was to see the Pyramid in Chichen Itza. We went to the Mayan Museum the day before, to get us amped up. It worked! However, nothing can prepare you for the experiences you have at the Pyramid. I can’t believe that in all I’ve read, and all I’ve heard, there was never any mention of the actual physical experience you have while you’re there. I booked our entire trip on an online site, so pretty much everything was done by computer, and yet somehow, we got the best tour guide we could have ever gotten. He was an actual Mayan. He was from the town the Pyramid is in. I looked around while we were on a break a few times, and saw that the other tour guides were not nearly as into it as ours was. He knew the history of the site, archeological, astronomical, and physical. It was exactly the experience I wanted/needed. He even mentioned the author of the book I read that sparked my interest in the site. I couldn’t believe it. I honestly feel that the stars aligned to make sure that we got to go see the Pyramid on that day with that person. It was life changing. I have no doubt that divine intervention took place.