And Life Begins Again
Updated: Jun 13, 2024
My "Eat, Pray, Love" In Two Weeks
Series
Part One of Twelve
Lone Tree, Colorado
The world is a crazy place. Just ten days ago, I booked a trip on a cruise. My first ever. I came home from dropping off my just-graduated daughter at photography school in Montana on a Sunday. The following day, I found myself on the computer booking a cruise by noon. I was leaving in ten days… To Tahiti… Alone… Impulsive, yes. And necessary, too.
The past two years have taken a toll, and yet my life is taking me on a new path, a new beginning. I have been through and overcome a severe illness, dodged the cancer bullet, and saw my marriage crumble after twenty years.
I lost 47 pounds (a small child) and watched two children graduate from high school and leave the nest. I lost a beloved father-in-law and best girlfriend all in the same week. I said goodbye to my cherished dog and cat and moved from my home where two children were raised, and a family lived to a rental apartment. I nursed my daughter through strep, H1N1, and mono that hospitalized her for a week.
I cried at the finalization of my divorce, saw my job eliminated from a company I helped form 19 years ago with my ex-husband, bought a brand new home and settled in, and finally found myself on the other side of Hell.
So, what does one do at this juncture? Well, Tahiti makes perfect sense to me. So here I am, with bags packed, ready to take the first steps on this new path in my life aboard the M/S Paul Gauguin of Paul Gauguin Cruises. It is known as "The Bentley of the Seas." I have never felt so excited and a little sick to my stomach at the same time. I have no idea what the next ten days will bring.
Two days ago, my friend Tami threw me a Bon Voyage Party at one of our favorite local watering holes. It turns out that none of my friends in attendance have ever been to French Polynesia, and I don't think any of them ever expected me to pull a stunt like this.
It was a fun send-off. Let's face it: I doubt I will ever have a Bon Voyage Party again, and in truth, seeing my dearest friends before leaving made this trip all the sweeter. I was surprised, however, at how many of these women, who in my mind are some of the strongest, most formidable women I know, pulled me aside to express concern that I was doing this solo. Several told me I should wait to do this until I met a man. Some seemed worried about my safety.
First, I assured them that I didn't think the islands in French Polynesia or a ship that held only 300 people were crime capitals of the world. I found that ironic because my nervousness did not include a fear of being thrown overboard with a knife protruding from my chest.
Second, my honest response to their suggestion to wait for a man was, "Oh, hell no!" " I have been waiting for a man for twenty years. I will not wait for another to start having the life I crave and the experiences I desire.
So, I promised to start a blog, which I had never done before, so they would know I was alive and safe and not a captive of a crazed fellow passenger or marauding pirates in the coves surrounding the 180 Society Islands of French Polynesia.
While it was a crazy day getting all of the last-minute things done to leave, I pulled it off, and thanks to the kindness of Tami, my two suitcases and I made it to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Of course, I remembered everything but my vitamins and supplements, but my friends Nancy and Wendy will be glad to know I did not forget my panties! Priorities, these two sister friends reminded me last week over dinner and lots of laughter.
With time to spare and a delayed flight, the Mile High Bar took good care of me. (Get your mind out of the proverbial gutter; it was a bar in the airport, not a club at 38,000 feet!) After two glasses of Pinot Grigio, I took a picture of my traveling feet, stealing my friend Robert's idea, and stepped on the airplane to Los Angeles.
I had time to read about the history of Tahiti and French Polynesia in my guidebook, which was fun and fascinating. I don't know, but something about the islands' early, wanton years has stirred in me an unquiet calm. Not to mention the overwhelming opinion of so many over the years that these islands are considered the most beautiful in the world, I am excited to see them with my own eyes.
After a quick and easy flight and shuttle to my hotel, I enjoyed dinner with a woman who had known me since the eighth grade, my dear friend Jay Howarth. I was a cheerleader with pigtails, and she was, in my young eyes, the goddess of United Spirit Association Cheerleading (USA.) She told me then at the ripe old age of 12 that she would hire me one day, and five years later, she did just that. It was the start of a great run with USA and a long-term friendship that I enjoy today.
After more wine (yes, that would be MORE) and a wonderful dinner and conversation, I realized that Jay has always and will always inspire me. She has since that first day at cheerleading camp so many years ago, and her words of wisdom, insights, and pure joy for life sent me to LaLa land a happy woman. The wine helped, too, but Jay's uplifting and insightful dinner left me in an incredibly positive and empowered mood. Her company and wisdom always leave me in a better place, both emotionally and spiritually, and I am truly blessed for that.
I had trouble falling asleep after climbing into bed. I was leaving for the other side of the world tomorrow, to a place I'd only dreamed of visiting. This trip came together so quickly that I hardly stopped to catch my breath. But here I am, only one day away from the islands in the South Pacific.
My journey in my new life was just beginning.
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