In the 1980s, I traveled widely on businesss and add-on pleasure. It was great fun, but grew a bit tiresome after a decade. In 1987, I met my now second husband, and knew I wanted to choose him over my high-intensity career.
I quit that job in 1989, taking with me over 100,000 frequent flier miles. We used them in 1995 for a nearly free two-week family jaunt to Hong Kong and Honolulu. We made treasured memories, and I bought my requisite share of jewelry bargains.
Since 2000, we've been constrained in spending and travel due to closure of our beloved "dot.com" business, and several typical baby boomer-style bouts of unemployment. We've learned rich lessons about the difference between wants and needs.
To our surprise, family income may be stabilizing for the first time in five years, and even has decent growth potential. We need a couple things, but not much. We're content. A family vacation this summer would be delightful....it's been a few years.
As my professional writing grows, occasional travel may again be part of my life. For one, I'll be going to Seattle for a few days in early June for an About.com/New York Times regional meeting.
I want my family to go with me, but Ron has work and Andrea has school and her own activities. Business travel is just work in another place, and travel is no longer pleasurable without Ron. So my trips will be less frequent and shorter than in the 1980s. .
I would rather be home.
No comments:
Post a Comment