What a beautiful morning for a sidewalk-stroll in the park across from our hotel on Shelter Island! Beams of sunshine from the rising sun dance and sparkle on the calm waters of San Diego Bay. The clear blue skies contradict the forecast of cloudy days the entire week of our stay. Feeling the warmth of the sunshine on my face is refreshing. Breaking through the crispness of the air, which envelopes my body as I push my husband in his wheelchair effortlessly, on our morning walk is invigorating.

This would be a lovely place to live and the tepid weather far healthier for our physical condition. We dream. However, all of our family lives up north in snow country where we are from. My parents, siblings, our children, and our grandchildren surround us. How could we leave? My wandering soul would love to experience all there is to experience in life. Yet, I feel a necessary tethering to those near and dear to my heart. As long as they need us nearby, we will stay up north, and our get-aways will bring us here to southern California for a rejuvenation of our minds and bodies. We can live with that. For now.