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This blog is not cooperating with me. The formatting is out of sync and splitting words that are not supposed to be....Hope you can make sense of it. We are very fortunate to have the flexibility this summer. Life is short and precious. Family is important and irreplaceable. Siblings are valuable and underrated. Friends are valuable and worthy of your extra detour. Nature is quiet but mysteriously eloquent.

We left our home in the state of Louisiana on July 12th at 1430 hour. We drove 9 hours straight through Jackson, MS, Memphis and Nashville, TN then to Bowling Green KY.
We had a nice rest and hit the rode the following morning heading north to Michigan.

Another 8 hours of driving north got us to Detroit area. We visited with aunt and uncle who recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. While visiting their home, I pointed to a 50 yr old wedding photo hung in the hallway and told our son, "How amazing that they have been together 50 years since the day this photo was take!" Our son's immediate reaction was precious. He hugged my arm and snuggled up and said, "I hope you will be around on your 50th anniversary, Mom!"!!! Seeing someone in your family who reached such a precious milestone in their adventurous years together seemed to have expanded my son's chronologic perception.
I had to remind him that his sweet grandpa in Japan passed away less tan 2 months shy of 40th anniversary.

Many people get in a hurry after the sunset of your life is imminent to catch up desperately with the lost years of your children's lives or your own life. We are at fault of allowing ourselves be too busy with our seemingly important projects, task, and responsibilities. So, we decided to take the time away from it all and to get away. To escape far away where my beeper would not reach!
We traveled more than 1300 miles almost the length of the whole entire length of Japan from Southern Kyushu to the northern Tip of Hokkaido. We arrived in Michigan where the relatives are and proceeded further north to be with Sven's parents and brother's family. We decided to take as much time as we can allow on this trip to enjoy the time with each other and to explore the unseen ends
of the earth. Well, brief work interrupted me and I flew down to work for several days. When I return to Michigan after this stretch of hospital bound days are over, we will resume the time with family. While I am gone, noone is missing anything out. The rest of the gang will be camping.
When we resume our time together, we plan to explore the shore of Lake Supreior,,, how cool is that!

The beautiful lakes that shimmer in the sun light makes me forget the dullness of the Michigan economy. Bright colored petunias, and other summer flowers are brilliant reminders that creator exist. The land is to be enjoyed with all of our senses. The coolness felt in the forest calms your spirit. The smoothness of the soft grass on your barefoot soothes the agitation associated with the modern life.
Calmness of the morning air reminds my soul that simple joy is often hidden till you find tranquility in your heart.

Well, Well, did not mean to get so deep here. All I want to say to myself is that enjoy the people you love when you have them. If you did not allow time to recognize the value of what you already have, you would regret one day.

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