Opposite Evolutions

I had a delightful lunch with an old and dear friend today.  Let's just call her "Pat".   Pat is from out of town now, having moved south a few years ago, after living in New York for the first sixty years of her life.   She is staying with a high school friend, visiting relatives and leaving soon to spend time with her daughter and grandchildren in Rochester.  She came without her husband this time.  He had some health concerns that prohibit him from traveling, at the moment.  This is the longest she has ever been away from him, being away almost three weeks, I think.

I could not help but marvel at Pat's developmental curve, and how different hers is from mine.  What I mean is, her large adventures and 'branching out' seem to be taking place in her more mature years.  Last year she and a  girlfriend took a trip to Los Angeles, rented a car, visited relatives, etc.  She used to be terrified of water and could not even bear to be near it.   Now she can even ride in a boat.   She no longer waits on her husband as much,  and is much more independent and adventurous.

My own more mature inclinations are just the opposite.  I spent much of my adult life being outrageously  independent,  having all kinds of adventures,  traveling to a great variety of places,  moving dozens and dozens of times  Pat and hubby lived in the same house for forty years, until recently.  I'm not sure I could even count all the places I've lived.   Now, my inclination is to enjoy the community in which I live,  to enjoy our home;   I'm not terribly interested in any far away, exciting trips.   I'm enjoying being domestic now, though that has certainly not always been the case. I'm a homebody.

I want a mellow life, settled, rooted, routine.

It is rather fascinating how our life paths take us along different curves and arcs and inclinations.

Like fingerprints and snowflakes, no two are the same.