A Toast to Ourselves–4o years this month.

We had a very special trip planned.  Three countries separated by the North Atlantic. Then the pandemic came. As it happens, we weren’t in our 20s when we married, so we’re retired. For that reason, COVID-19 didn’t hit us as hard as others—for whom we have much sympathy.

We do have to take wearing a mask and social distancing more seriously. So far, we have remained virus free. Can’t really go anywhere either—not even to a restaurant. But we can get carryout. Sounds humdrum and disappointing. But it isn’t. There’s no distractions. We can sit out on the patio and enjoy the view from our dream house, high atop a hill at 6,700 feet.

Daisaku Ikeda says this in Buddhism Day by Day: Wisdom for Modern Life,

“A shallow person will only have shallow relationships. Real love is not one person clinging to another; it can only be fostered between two strong people secure in their individuality. Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince wrote in a work called Wind, Sand and Stars, ‘Love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction.’ “

We were following de Saint-Exupery’s prescription some time ago and we still are. We looked ahead together for our move to the Southwest. And to designing that dream house with a view for many miles. In a dry climate with seasons not to hot and not too cold. We have already been on wonderful journeys here and there. The trip we planned for this year may happen the next—or it may not. But there will be more ahead. Meanwhile, we will enjoy our day reminiscing and discussing what we will do until our 50^th anniversary. And where to go in 2030.