Never Drive Too Fast Through Small Towns…

Dad had told me this one day on a Drive to Gagetown – I think we were going through Burton, or one of the other small “villages” that you pass through on the way to visit the Breens. His point was that you should slow down as you travel the roads and not be in too much of a hurry to get where you are going – firstly because things move more slowly in these places, and we should respect (and enjoy) that and secondly you never know when some kid will come running out onto the road chasing a ball or dog or whatever. So yesterday I was slowly driving through some small towns on my way to the middle of nowhere – I started to think about this lesson that dad had taught me many years ago, and how I hadn’t had a Malcolm moment in awhile (or at least not one that I hadn’t blogged on already) – Then I started to think about all the things that were going on recently in my life. I started to think of these little communities as Milestones, which can be defined as “An important event, a turning point.”

Some people in my life had some big milestones recently – LBR turned 30 (he got a long pined for kayak), Grammy Lou had a birthday last Sunday which was celebrated at Erinn and Mike’s (BTW Erinn did a great job with Sunday dinner) – Red and Vic celebrated a 10th Wedding Anniversary with a Apple at Cow Throwing party out on Keswick Ridge (hosted by Jen and Gerry) – Wally Wallcott got back safe from Afghanistan and Steven O made the long trek home from the Arizona heat.

Milestones are like little destinations on your way to the ultimate destination - they are the life in the years that make up the years of our lives. They fly by with the blink of an eye or they can be celebrated wholeheartedly, celebrate them.

“Advance and never halt, for advancing is perfection. Advance and do not fear the thorns in the path, for they draw only corrupt blood.”
-Kahlil Gibran

I guess that we all have a destination in our minds, that provides us with a direction – these destinations can change as can out path to reach them – things and people can come into our lives (on the way to their own destinations) altering ours – what is important to remember is that when you are headed somewhere, take it slowly – celebrate the milestones – the most fulfilling part of having somewhere to go is getting there, constantly moving towards something, going down the road, enjoying the scenery, seeing the vistas, meeting the people, having adventures. It’s really nice to be able to share our “small towns” with those that we hold dear. Always remember that not everyone has the same destination, or even the same road map - we have to share the trip with those we love and hope everyone arrives where they want to go safe, sound and with all their luggage.

It seems to me that Sophie has these milestones all the time – I’m glad we're there to celebrate every last little adventure with her…