I am an ant

Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.
~Scott Cameron

It's funny how our world grows as we age. Think about it; a child's world is his own. Whatever is happening at that very moment is the child's understanding of life on Earth; he is the world. Then as we age, that area becomes more vast. We begin to see beyond the parameters of our existence. We realize we are but one little ant in the pile of life. With that realization comes a keen curiosity to learn more. What better way to learn about other countries than to travel and see for yourself? At least, that's how I feel.

So far, no cigar.

Pete, on the other hand, is a different story. He has travelled the world over and again. The time he spent in the Marines took him to faraway lands like Europe and Panama. Since then Pete's job has taken him to Japan, England and Greece... without me. I know, it's sickening isn't it? The main reason I have been unable to go is because I didn't have a passport. Pete's business trips come about very quickly. Until Greece, there was not enough time for me to apply.

Grease is the word Greece was the limit. I dropped Pete off at the airport and went straight to the post office for my passport application. I filled it out, had my picture taken and sent it off. Then I took the kids to get a puppy (Jake), but that's another story.

The ironic thing about this whole ordeal is that Pete has not had another opportunity to travel overseas since I got my passport four years ago, ~sigh~ but I'm ready. And times a'tickin'. My arms are open wide. I am a measly ant ready to venture out from her familiar pile. I am ready to see the world.

A much younger Pete at Japan's Shinto Shrine, pond with lotus flowers- July '98