Today's traffic in central Florida, mind boggling. The Space Shuttle-Discovery lifted off just before 5PM this evening, but earlier in the day, it was bumper to bumper trafffic, with many a resident as well as peak season tourist, headed in the direction of Cape Canaveral, all hoping for a glimpse of the final launch of the space shuttle Discovery, truly a historic moment. As I rushed home from work this evening, I made it just before the launch, however cloud cover down here in the Lakeland area, prohibited the long awaited launch from being view by all the residents of our community. Any reason to party, the residents were lining the streets, hanging out on the balcony of the clubhouse, drinks in hand, looking to the East and waiting. A few visibly upset at the clouds, but most enjoying the eighty degree plus late afternoon weather. The busy busy week began with bumper to bumper traffic, but this time all were headed to the Daytona 500. Mr. Bill and I were headed to Disney to visit with Mrs. G and family. It has been two years since we had seen the twins Jordan and Taylor, now lovely young tweens., while "sister cousin", Lena is an adorable bundle of energy, growing like a weed. So great to see everyone. This upcoming weekend, a visit with Gracie-Baby, son Roger and friend. This is like old home week, for Mr. Bill and I, a time to catch up on all the news that is the news in the former Fred's News Land! Gracie-Baby now a full time resident in Florida, but has the luxury of spending time in both places if the spirit stirs her to do so.
Although this week has been flying by at warp speed, with little time to do anything, work had to be fit in. Too bad, but priority calls. Luckily a few schedules were moved around so I'd be able to enjoy our friends and be the gracious host, as they enjoyed the Disney experience. It also gives me the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of Disney without having to "make it happen".
We joked about the our first visit to Disney with our sons. Mark making the promise to himself, "some day I am going to work there", so when he announced his intentions to leave Connecticut and follow his dream, you would have thought, I'd been ready. Yes, I was proud, we didn't raise the kids to do what we wanted them to do, we raised them, to be their own person, seek out new "worlds" and options. Yet at the same time, you never want to see them leave. The first visit is hard, but then you realize they've grown, that's what you helped them do, grow, reach out, explore. It is always so much fun to visit. So, one would have thought, when Matthew made the same announcement a few years later, it would have been easier...nope! The same fears and doubts yet enormous pride swells up inside, the tears, a combination a everything, needed to spill out. On the flip side, within a couple of years, Mom and Dad leaving the comfort of their Fred's News home after twenty something years.....nurturing, helping, listening and loving all who ventured in and became a part of "the family". It is not only our own family but the "family" of friends who truly are what Fred's News was all about.
Although this week has been flying by at warp speed, with little time to do anything, work had to be fit in. Too bad, but priority calls. Luckily a few schedules were moved around so I'd be able to enjoy our friends and be the gracious host, as they enjoyed the Disney experience. It also gives me the opportunity to enjoy the wonders of Disney without having to "make it happen".
We joked about the our first visit to Disney with our sons. Mark making the promise to himself, "some day I am going to work there", so when he announced his intentions to leave Connecticut and follow his dream, you would have thought, I'd been ready. Yes, I was proud, we didn't raise the kids to do what we wanted them to do, we raised them, to be their own person, seek out new "worlds" and options. Yet at the same time, you never want to see them leave. The first visit is hard, but then you realize they've grown, that's what you helped them do, grow, reach out, explore. It is always so much fun to visit. So, one would have thought, when Matthew made the same announcement a few years later, it would have been easier...nope! The same fears and doubts yet enormous pride swells up inside, the tears, a combination a everything, needed to spill out. On the flip side, within a couple of years, Mom and Dad leaving the comfort of their Fred's News home after twenty something years.....nurturing, helping, listening and loving all who ventured in and became a part of "the family". It is not only our own family but the "family" of friends who truly are what Fred's News was all about.
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