Yesterday was a day of rest and relaxation in San Mateo.  Katie Q took the seat as passenger and her hubby took us to Half Moon Bay, along the Pacific coast for a fantastic lunch at Half Moon Bay Brewery.  Her hubby and I opted for a Dungeness crab roll and fries.  I sipped a Pumpkin Ale with my meal and it was delightful.  Katie Q found a vegan option in a Portabella mushroom burger, also with fries, and a pumpkin stout.  We all had our fill and enjoyed the trip to the coast.

We drove back to their home, taking in the scenery along the way.  Once settled, we just chilled on the couches, with Deacon, and his ball.  We watched a couple of movies… one old and one new.  Despite our differences in age we were all entertained.  

It felt good to just sit and be still.

Every once and a while I found my mind wandering back over the past two weeks.  

I have learned things about myself.

I never want to stop doing that.

I have also learned more about the world.  

I never want to stop doing that either.

Twice on this trip, I have been referred to as Katie Q’s “mom”.  I take no insult in that… Katie Q’s mom is a fantastic woman.  I am happy to know her, and represent her on this trip.  What I realized was how compartmentalized the world can be.

How can it be possible that two people with such a vast difference in age can actually be traveling as FRIENDS?  Crazy concept… right?  It may be crazy to some.  Kate Q and I have looked well beyond age.

I realized how much I have learned from Katie Q.  I have had my eyes opened to new food, new places, new music, and new language.  She is young, but she is a deep thinker.  From our experience, my world has expanded.  It has new color, new flavor, new smells, and much laughter.

I realized that I have always been comfortable with people older than I, and would sit for hours listening to them tell their stories.  History.  Unfortunately, until now, I had not had the opportunity to sit with someone so young, really just starting out in life, and seeing the world as they experience it.  

I am grateful Katie Q was willing to share this time with me, and with it, share herself and her world. 

I have learned that my world is so much more than the space I inhabit, and the paths I walk day to day.  It is also the people all around it.  

I have so much more to learn.

As I sit in this space (San Francisco Airport to be specific), I am watching the people around me.  I am watching them with more curiosity.  I am enjoying the journey this day.

I know I am not done. 

I want to continue to grow and learn and smile.  I will continue to try new things and meet new people.  This trip was a grand reminder that I am not done growing… and I am responsible for assuring that growth continues.

I cannot believe it has been 14 days since Kate Q and I started  our journey.  We left Pennsylvania with an adventure ahead of us.  We took each day we were given and lived it fully.  We accepted each challenge.  We took unfamiliar paths.  We were grateful for every step we took.

I am so excited to be starting the reunion back to my life this day.  I am eager to see Hubby and Jaxon and the kitties… and settle back in at the homestead.  

Home.

I am excited to be seeing Mum and the rest of my family.

Home.

I will be continuing to find ways to make my life an adventure… big and small.  Each day is precious… even when it gets tough.

I am eternally grateful for this opportunity… and for home.

I am eternally grateful and even more aware that life is so very good.