What is it about vacation that draws me into a state of melancholy? Is it knowing that the best part is the anticipation – when we talk about the things we’re going to do around the breakfast table months in advance? Is it keeping one eye on the calendar the whole time no matter how long we are gone? Is it understanding that nothing lasts forever? Is it the fear of facing personal shortcomings that keep me from spending time like this with my family more often? Is it that the earth has tilted on its axis and the days are getting shorter and that before we know it we’ll be in sweaters and coats? Or maybe it’s a fear that this is as good as it will ever get and that everything else in life is strapping on work boots to get here.
Yes. That’s it. Look, the sun is going down. Again.
Four more days.
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Jim Mitchem (written and published while sitting on the beach in his home state of Florida)
Taylor LeCroy
Jul 13, 2011
Vacation always reminds me how much happier the poorest locals are than the wealthiest tourists. No grind, just livin’. Makes you think. But then there you are back at the office, saving up for another taste of the Free Life while they’re out fishing, working a snorkel tour, or making things that aren’t ads. How do we justify that? Health insurance? 401k?