Delighting in the Adventures of Others

“We must risk delight. We can do without pleasure, but not delight. Not enjoyment. We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.”  –Jack Gilbert

Our daughter traveled to India in November. Mr. Function (see *note below) and I reveled in every detail of her adventure. Being the daughter of an imaginary hotel concierge may have contributed to her sturdy set of travel wings, but she has been an explorer all her life, and we are very proud of her. She is an inspiration to all our guests, graciously allowing us to display her luscious photography throughout the hotel. There will be many more adventures in this chickie’s future. Sorry I can’t share more of her journey. Those are her tales to tell, not mine.  Actually I would love to tell you more about the above photo of the ribbons, they symbolize prayers, I think, but I can’t really remember their story, a symptom of Hotel residence, I’m afraid.

That is precisely why I created this blog, this space: to record delightful details that I want to remember. Details I know and those I have forgotten. To remind me to listen to the dreams of others while sharing my own.

This I remember: Someone asked me if I was afraid for our daughter going to India alone.” They don’t like us there,” she said with a concerned smile.

This I want to remember, something our daughter already knows, that concern, that sentiment of there, and they needs to be named and known, maybe even photographed.

*Note Below 

Introducing Mr. Function: I realized that there was an important voice missing from my tales of Half Century-ness. My other half, the form to my function, the apple of my eye, the core to my being, had not yet been properly introduced. More than a quarter of a century ago, my dear friend and original hotel investor referred to our alliance as ‘form and function’. I imagine the form, he makes it work. Mr. Function needs to be represented in these halls. He is a  maker of things, a fellow traveler of an earthly dimension, and responsible for the production of half of those adventurer’s wings. BTW, Mr. Function was very concerned about our solo chick, that’s why we are such a good team.

What about you? Have you ever spread your solo travel wings? Travel to places far and wide and beautiful?  How do you keep your heart open to the adventures and dreams of others and yourself?