Road trips are not my passion. But life has a way of placing us on roads that become unforgettable.

 

As I approach my next birthday on July 13, I will have to visit . . .

 

 

Route 77

 

Traveling down the road of life, I think of the many adventures I’ve had.

As I reflect on these events, some make me happy, others sad.

 

When I awoke this morning, an interesting thought crossed my mind.

Soon I’ll be turning 77, with many miles traveled, another double-digit

     road sign, with both numbers alike, I’ll find.

 

Route 77, a journey in the making, will be a year of new expectations

     and challenges to address.

But today, as I look in the rearview mirror, I see previous life 

     experiences—many I remember, while others are vague, I must 

     confess.

 

I decided to focus on other repeated double-digit roads I’ve explored

     in the past,

Each coupled with occurrences that have shaped my life—

     some that wore me down, others that were a blast.

 

I began to review the milestones on these roads to see where I‘ve been.

On Route 11, I felt both blessed and cursed—a beautiful bike gained,

     a best friend made, a beloved grandmother lost to the wind.

 

Traveling Route 22, I followed a learning path, with knowledge acquired      

     and good grades achieved.

The foundation for further education built and a future career in view,

     a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology I received.

 

I pondered my travels on Route 33, during a somewhat frustrating time

     in my life.

I questioned the choices I made—a move from teaching 

     to educational administration caused much internal strife.

 

As I climbed through the mountains and descended the valleys

     of Route 44, traversing this complicated, but interesting road was,

     at times, a strain.

However, while enduring the pressures of being President of my Rotary 

     Club, hosting a local TV show, and leading a successful college 

     accreditation, goals aplenty I did attain.

 

On Route 55, I found my way, for the woman who entered my life

     three years earlier consented to be my wife.

Crazy as it may sound, going with my parents and their friends

     on our honeymoon cruise, helped launch the next phase of my life.

 

Retired for two years, I cruised down Route 66 and began to discover

     what my future held for me.

Now active in a new Rotary club and a volunteer mediator, writer, actor,    

     and poet, my days were as full as I wanted them to be.

 

Though the last year has been difficult, as the coronavirus wreaked 

     havoc with our lives, I look forward to traveling down a smooth 

     Route 77, anticipating things will be fine.

I contemplate other double-digit road signs in the future, with both 

     numbers alike, and foresee continued health, happiness, and peace 

     of mind on Routes 88 and 99.

 

 

Copyright © 2021 Alan Lowe. All rights reserved.