Time Travel

The weirdest thing about traveling east is losing so much time … starting at 6 AM, spending only 4 or 5 hours on various planes, and arriving at one’s destination at dinner time. For some reason that seems LESS odd than the westward experience of spending the same amount of time in the air only to arrive a mere hour or two after the departure time.

It’s been far TOO long since I came back east to visit family. I can blame my extended unemployment or last year’s steep airline prices or any number of other factors, but the truth is I SHOULD have FOUND a way to get here sooner. My nephews have all grown ridiculous amounts. I’m sure I’ll be struck by that AGAIN when my brother comes to town with his daughter and son. And, of course, time is catching up with all of us siblings.

I’m kind of girding myself for what my parents will look like. Lately I’ve found that I think I can HEAR differences in their voices over the phone. The slight edge of approaching old age has become mellowly resonant in their tones. I’m trying to be prepared for them to “suddenly” look OLD and frail … but that might be a hopeless attempt. I don’t know if we can every really be ready for seeing entropy catch up with our parents.

I like the Washington, D.C. area … and I hope to get to see more of it during this trip. I’d like to get around to a few more of the touristy things … maybe the main building of the Smithsonian, or the Library of Congress, or even the Capitol building itself. (As I discussed in an earlier post, I’ve been disappointed to find out that I can’t get in to see the White House on this trip.) Maybe I’ll even try to pop in to visit my elected officials. Won’t THEY be surprised?

I think the biggest thing I want to take away from this trip is the firm and unshakable resolution to come back here again MUCH more frequently.