Chills in the air that warms the soul.




I am not born to be a writer. But I will continue my simple journey of "expressing as I go" through this blog in 2010. Happy New Year.

My family just returned early this morning from a 3700 mile road trip passing through 14-15 states on the south and the east coast of one of the largest continent on the globe. Comparing with the air travel we have done going to Japan or flying to Italy, the miles we traveled may not appear as extensive. But for our family history of road trip, this was by far the longest and most challenging one. We three of us were together for hours on end within the space of our car for hours and days. We rejoiced together when we approached our destination for each day during out rip, we mourned together so to speak as we departed from our treasured friends and families knowing it would be a long time before our reunion can be realized again. We were excited when we found "a cool place to stop" along the way such as Hershey Chocolate World.

But the weight of the volume of distance and miles we drove over these days fades in comparison to the significance of the precious hours spent with special people in our lives. The visit with the special family in VT/NH was priceless to say the least. As the shadow of illness attempts to invade the serenity of the peaceful winter wonderland, kids and grandkids gathered around with most grateful hearts to enjoy Christmas day with grandpa and grandma. As the scent of fear fills the air each morning, chills in the air miraculously and powerfully reminded our souls of the everlasting warmth showing us that we are not left alone on this earth. There was a peace, an unspeakable peace that we know only comes from our creator. Arranging our voices in one accord to praise and to express our joy lifted even the heaviest spirit among us. We truly were surrounded by an unimaginable strength that bound us with hope, the hope that does not limit us to the small globe we live on but extends us to the far eternity beyond the unseen skies.

But human hearts experience the sadness for our separation as long as we strive on this earth. I fought back tears as our vehicle glided along the highway leaving our loved ones and cherished moments behind. I was deeply comforted by the compassion expressed by the creator through the beauty of the nature. The cliffs on the side of the road shed tears as they saw us off to the warm country. The recognition that my surrounding was crying with me froze the time for a moment, just long enough for me to take another breath. Frozen tears on the cliff deeply touched my emotions under the surface. It reminded me that I am fortunate that I can cry. Sadness is felt in me only because i know joy. Was I being too emotional? The weaping cliff quietly sent a soothing melody, melody of comfort that human companion may not be able to compose. No, I was not too emotional. Not to the nature's standard. It was OK.

Rest of our trip provided opportunities for valuable reunion with old friends, some, we had not seen in years. The time and distance disappeared in a flash and we had the most enjoyable and meaningful visit to hold and cherish for a long time, until our next such opportunity affords us another reunion. We wish each one well, until such time.

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