Moving around the country as much as we have, one of the greatest sacrifices has been leaving behind the friends and connections we made during our time living in a certain place. Social media and blogs help keep us connected, even old people methods like phone calls, texts and emails help. But nothing is as good for the soul and heart as seeing old friends in person.
During our travels back east, we stopped for a few days near Jasper, Indiana, a town we called home for six years. We were able to reconnect with friends we hadn’t seen in a while.
We left this home six years ago and, in that time, much has changed. The town has prospered and grown, expanded and thrived. It’s good to see that type of change, especially during these past few years.
Some of our friends, who are much younger than Gary and me, have recently grown their families – some by two, by four, and even by five! It was so heart-warming to meet these little bundles of joy and adorableness for the first time. These were our theatre friends, and they will always hold a special place in my memories.
We stayed at Lincoln State Park, the childhood home of our beloved 16th President. The park has the large amphitheater, as well as the campground, cabins, hiking and biking trails, a lake to swim and boat in, as well as a replica of the Lincoln family cabin built from these very woods. One of the more serene places in the park is the Little Pigeon Church, the burial site of Sara Lincoln Grigsby, Abe’s sister who died in childbirth.
I love history and these woods are filled with it. Not just of Lincoln, but the men and women who helped shape him into the man he became, and who taught him the lessons and values that he later embodied when our country needed them most.
We were able to visit friends at their beautiful lake house which was recently completed on the little Beaver Lake. Anyone who is anyone in Jasper either has a cabin there or knows someone who does. It was nice to see that most of the homes and cottages remained true cabins and had not been torn down to build a McMansion on. What a great place to come and unwind and relax, even if it is only 20 minutes away from home.
We had friends over to the campsite one day for a BBQ and it was wonderful to catch up. We hadn’t seen Randy and Shannon since we sailed with them in the British Virgin Islands a few years ago. We hope we inspired them to consider getting their own RV, like we have a few other folks who have taken the leap and made their dream a reality.
There are so many times in life that we hear ourselves saying, “One day I want to…” or “I’ve always wanted to do…”
But if this past year has shown us anything, it is that life is fleeting and can turn on a dime. And by the time you pass sixty years of age, haven’t you earned the right to start making that bucket list a check list of places you’ve seen, memories you’ve made, and new people you’ve met?