The vacation of a lifetime

Words escape me now as I try to collect my thoughts from the past week. Have you ever fulfilled a dream you didn't even know you had. I mean, sure we all dream of meeting Leesa, but whoever thought I would ever get to Montana? How did she and Pam know I needed this week so badly? The timing was impeccable. The surroundings ideal, almost surreal. Well, they didn't know back in the summer that I would have needed such time for reflection in October. But I did. And when you're surrounded by animals who need you for sustenance and a dear friend for good laughs, it's the perfect "cure" for what ails ya.

When Brock greeted us on our first night, he jumped up and pawed at us as if to hug us. Of course, we told him "down," and he never did it again. That is, until the day we were leaving. It was as if he was hoping he could keep us around if he just held us there with his furry hugs. And Taylor was jumping on the couch to be held. One more hug, she begged.
Otis, King of the Porch, who keeps most creatures in line and off his domain, meowed for me to come see him on his throne and let me pet him. That had not happened all week. And if I talk about saying good bye to Spaz, I shall begin to weep. Each pet had the biggest heart and showered me with healing love all week. Well, except Trout who merely showered us with mischief. Pure, unadulterated little boy mischief. Did you know a kitten can swing from a fishnet used as decoration on the wall?

And what can I say about that hot tub? I know that if I lived up there alone, I would start to lift weights so I could lift the cover off the thing by myself. Or, as Pam reminded me, I would figure out how to sit in there with half the cover on, the other half off, as I peered from water. I think I found God in that hot tub, but it could have been the wine (and later the Mike's Hard Lemonade).

The drive home was truly breath taking with each state taking on its own character. From the top (apparently that's north) of Montana to the bottom (south), through Idaho into Utah and through Colorado, the "purple mountains majesty" illuminated the Big Sky. I missed my reds and oranges from Missouri trees, but these states have a beauty that is indescribable. I actually started to giggle as it snowed (yep, you read that right) through Colorado. I mean, I know they make their living in the ski resorts, but the beauty of the snow as it landed on the evergreens was breath taking. We couldn't have asked for better weather or a more beautiful sky across America.

Well, now it's time to pack. I have not even started. I don't know what to take. Towels? Sheets? Cotton balls and aspirin? I move to my new life in 2 days and am frozen, at times, wondering what to pack, what to leave, what to put in storage. But as a wise friend told me, of course I don't know what to pack. I've never done this before. Well, I'd better get packing or I'll be stuck here another 27 years.