Another Way . . . (Days 9-10)

Neil and I had our itinerary lined out quite well, our 7-week retirement trip that we called "Meander the Western States." We were feeling pretty good about it because we were going to see many family and friends, in addition to doing some sightseeing.

Well, in truth, we were looking forward to seeing family and friends, but the sightseeing plans were a bit dicey -- or almost non-existent.

And then a voice said, "Change the trip. Go . . . another way." We had planned to take David to the airport in El Paso on Sunday after the weekend with him and Mea and head north through New Mexico for a couple of days in Santa Fe. We know nobody in Santa Fe, so we were actually going to go sightseeing and soak up the beauty of that area, and then go on to Colorado.

But a voice said, "Go . . . another way. Go to Ft. Worth and see Ellen & Mike." So we began checking to see what it would take to change the route and go another way to Colorado to visit old haunts and friends where I was raised in Pueblo, then on to Colorado Springs and Denver for time with family and friends there.

We did "detour" to Ft. Worth, and what a blessing it was! Our dear friends from the Panama Crew (our reunion group of 6 families who bonded into our Panama Family in the early '80's) are struggling with serious health issues right now, and it was the most amazing blessing to spend time with them in their beautiful new home in Ft. Worth. (The picture below is of Mike and his birthday cake, presented by yours truly.)


As with so many things in life, whether it be travel routes, projects, or problems, there is often a way that looks most logical and direct or a solution that seems to be the easiest to complete a project or solve a problem. But when you step back and look, you often see that there is also . . . another way.

This week, we are rejoicing that we had time with Mike, Ellen, and their son, Will, whom we hadn't seen in many years, and that we also had time with their youngest daughter, Meagan. Those are precious times, precious memories. (See pic of Meagan with "Father Frey". That's the nickname the Panama Crew gave Neil years ago, and it's stuck.)


We're grateful for friendship and for that time together, grateful that this week, we chose . . . another way.

P.S. In case you think there's no beauty in the Ft. Worth area, I'm including a picture of sunrise over Ft. Worth. It was gorgeous -- definitely worth getting up early to go for a walk that morning!!