The Reality Sets In

Welcoming With Water Balloons

One of the realities of gathering great experiences is that they are often very difficult to share. Just as I learned (or re-learned) after my month in France, that my friends and loved ones had a very short attention span for listening to my many adventure stories... our oldest granddaughter, Lauren, is now experiencing the same lesson. "But-But-But... a whole year in Belgium! It's changed me! I'm so different now because of it! Why aren't they interested?"

We had a long talk...at least I could identify with her and share the disappointment. I assured her that she would meet people who would be interested, those who have been and those who plan to go. Stay in touch with other exchange students as they are probably going through the same transition. She will understand better later, after her life is full of here-and-now stuff to talk about. She will understand as she stifles a yawn when someone else is relating their personal adventure. She will remember to be a bit more attentive, because she knows what it feels like to try to share the high that comes from another time, another place.

It's not that her family doesn't care, they read her blog and fielded her phone calls, worried about things they could do nothing about but gave her the confidence to handle situations as they arose. But now they have more pressing matters to deal with... like the demands of college preparations, encouraging the focus of a whole new lifestyle, helping her build the foundation for her future. But I know... I remember... the door to all those memories just won't shut that easily. That's okay, it becomes a very special hidden jewel to hold very close. Some of the best experiences are like that.