It's been a while since my last post. I just haven't been inspired to write anything.
I started this blog 3 and half years ago. The purpose was three fold: stay in touch with my friends and family, document in real time the trials and travails of relocating to a 3rd World country, and entertain.
Most of my friends and family read the blog for a while, then dropped off. A couple of you, you know who you are, have continued to read. Thank you!
I did document the process of moving and getting established in a foreign land. I was tired of reading books authored several years after their relocation process. This sanitized and romanticized the move. I wanted people to see what it is really like. No bullshit. Straight talk, unedited and in-the-moment. Hopefully, this has helped some in their decision to relocate.
And the entertaining part...you have to answer that for yourself.
Now, most of the challenges and problems have been solved. Or our lives have been normalized to the effort required to do the simple things that are now difficult to do. Maybe we expect things to take longer, require multiple trips for anything, and nothing gets done as quickly as before.
I am running out of stuff to write about.
I feel this blog is complete. It has served it's purpose.
I will miss it. Most of the time it is like a good friend, coxing conversation out of me, on my mind about what will make good entertainment. I look upon the blog with fondness, kind of like family.
I will miss it.
But it is time to put it to bed.
A few final thoughts...
The first year was wickedly difficult. Un-spoiling the American Brat, putting the Type "A" personality through treatment for the "Get-Er-Done" syndrome which has no place in a Latin culture, making new friends, learning a new culture. And letting go of a wonderful life in Colorado.
All in all, a rough first year.
But, it was worth it. We love it here. The ability to retire early while we are young enough to be active, the unworldly natural beauty, amazing culture and people, an extraordinary group of gringos, opportunity to "reinvent" yourself...where else would I have gotten to be the male lead in a play or learn how to play screaming rock n roll lead, and e-x-h-a-l-e a-n-d r-e-l-a-x.
Yes, I miss my family and friends, for sure, especially our grandchildren. We are missing much of their growing up. Skype helps. The Internet is the most amazing tool to stay in touch with home.
But we love it here!
So it is time to say "Good Bye".
You have provided so much for me. Your time reading this blog has been generous and expansive. I don't take this gift lightly.
Thank you!
Hasta Luego, mi Amigo!!!
6 comments:
Somehow, Thanks is not Enough. When we stand up in Front, and Really reach deep, enough, to speak what is here, as clearly as we can, well, this is our MOST Laudable Gesture. To Share with such Inclusiveness is a wonderful Gift to all of Us who have ever had to reach deeper than our comfort zone to say what is here to say. I Love You, Tom, and bow to Your Honest Sharing. Not to mention all the Laughs, and Provocation!!!! and just plain education. Always, when You Share, I am interested, and SOOO Appreciative of your Gifts. It is okay to set us aside, life is like that, sometimes, but never deny Us or YOU these valiant moments of Light. In deep admiration, Darshan.
and besides that, I always Love how my comments end up being posted as "Anonymous said...". Somehow, that is just right. Ha Ha Ha. Love You, Darshan
Thanks, Darshan. Looking forward to your comments propelled me to write many a blog! It has been a wonderful way to be related. I will deeply miss your comments. I guess it is onward and upward to new communication avenues.
Love, Tom
Hi Tom,
I've been reading your blog since the beginning (although this is the first time to post a comment). I will miss your writings. Looking back, I don't think I've missed any of your entries. It has been a way for me to feel a connection to you and Yella even though it's been a faraway connection. You've shown me that it is possible, and fulfilling, to start again in a new place after a long time in Colorado Springs; something that I've been pondering for a few years now. Thank you Tom. I will look for new ways to stay connected with you and Yella :)
Karen Dunne
Wow, Karen! I had no idea you were reading the blog. Thanks for reading it...it makes it all worth it. I am missing writing the blog after only a few days of not doing it. I realize that it is a creative outlet that I love and appreciate. I am looking for other ways to write to possibly replace the blog.
After reading your comment, I feel that the blog did indeed do what I wanted it to do.
Good luck with your process in deciding how to express your desire to start again in a new place. I'll let Yella know you wrote a comment.
Tom,
Your Adventures blog gave me the opportunity to experience vicariously the joys and struggles of moving to Panama. That is something I hoped to do too and is one of my long-time desires. Thank you for sharing! (I may yet fulfill that wish!)
And, your writing gave us all such great insight to you: your goodness and generosity as well as your struggles. Pretty funny too at times. I look forward to visiting again very soon!
-B
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