Departure

And the time has finally come for it all to truly start. Due to the accelerated nature of my bopping from Boston to New York to the great beyond, I had viewed my leaving Boston as the start of the trip. But now that it has come and gone I no longer feel that was appropriate. That mini-journey had become quotidian. I’ve done it all; driven from BOS > NY, had a whirlwind weekend seeing family and friends, had a last supper of NYC pizza, and boarded a flight out of JFK. From here on out it’s new, new, new. So as I sit here I cannot help but be excited, anxious, impatient, and reflective.

To get to this moment, the last few days went well. The wedding on Friday was a blast. I was honored to take on ministerial duties for it, and as far as I can tell the ceremony went well. Packing to completely leave Boston was a chore, but its done now. In New York I celebrated Rosh Hashanah and saw some familiar faces, said some fond farewells. And then repacked for the trip. I hope I packed everything! It sure seems like I did, my bags wound up a little more swollen than I had hoped…

While writing this I’m sitting in the airport is the end of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. I’m kicking off 5780 with a bang, beginning not jus this year but my life anew. I’ve never been big on New Years Resolutions or the ‘setting of intentions’ that new age yogis seem to throw around. Even so I do have some thoughts and hopes for myself on this trip. I want to be present, flexible, open-minded, and patient. I’d like to think I don’t have to work hard at the first three of those. As my destination is the journey, the quicker I get anywhere, the quicker this whole experience is over. Therefore being patient is the key.

Right now the biggest thing on my mind is playing out the imaginary interactions I’ll have. What will be funniest? What will be most rewarding? What will be most challenging? As I imagine this I am looking at and listening to those around me. Americans are greatly outnumbered in this international departures terminal, so I’m treating it as a bit of a prelude.

I’m looking backwards and forwards. I’m still receiving work emails and thinking about everything I’m leaving behind. Once I got through security in the airport I had a shit eating grin as it hit me that everything I’m embarking on is really happening. It was surreal up until a few moments ago. It hit me where I’m going but what I’ve left hasn’t set in. I don’t yet feel disconnected from work (my last day was five days ago after all). I was with family this morning, so I don’t yet feel that I’ve left that behind. I am as connected to many friends as ever through the phone and social media, so nothing has changed there (yet). At some point it must dawn on me that I’ve broken from everything that I considered my life. Who knows, by then I might already be on my way back.

My flight is boarding, so to get this off while still stateside, I will now leave you with this moment’s song. Only for a moment and the moment’s gone.