While our two sons were young, we lived
in Florida, where seasons and cooler temperatures were non-existent. So, every
winter break we loaded the car with heavy coats, sleds, and Christmas presents,
and traveled to some faraway state, hoping to find snow.
After arriving at our destination, we
would tuck all the presents under a miniature artificial tree and turn on the
sparkling lights. Then, we’d snuggle in front of the fireplace and cheer for
our favorite football teams or watch a movie, sipping hot chocolate loaded with
whipped cream and sprinkles. In the morning, we’d all scramble to the window to
see if it had snowed during the night. Nothing beat that first sight of freshly
fallen snow, clean and pure, and shimmering like diamonds.
Now that hubby and I are empty nesters,
we travel quite a bit more than we did when the kids were young. We’ve taken to
cruising every year and have enjoyed visiting Italy, France, Croatia, Spain,
Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. We’ve
tried new foods, explored new cultures, experienced unfamiliar situations,
deciphered foreign languages, and encountered wonderful people along the way.
As much as I love traveling, the best
part for me is…wait for it, wait for it…
Coming
home. That sweet feeling that wells
up as I walk in the door. Home, where everything is familiar, where our dog
roams the yard without a leash, where I don’t need to pull up a map on my
cellphone. Home, to a soft mattress and pillows shaped just the way I need
them, coffee just the way I like it, and local restaurants with food and words
I recognize. Home, to precious family nearby, where we don’t have to rely on
Internet connections to chat or Google Hangouts to soak in their sweet faces.
Home, to the comfort of a routine because that’s the way I roll.
Beck Harmon, fictional hero of Beck's Peace, left home and wandered for
ten years, seeking peace over his father’s death. Our motivation might be
different, but he would say the same about his travels. The best part was coming
home.
Which states/countries have you visited? What’s your
favorite aspect of traveling? Least favorite?
Burn survivor Savvy McCord doesn't blame her best friend for running away. She can't even look at her scars without wincing. When Beck's disappearing act spans years, she relinquishes dreams of love and marriage. Unable to face Savvy's expectations of happily-ever-after, Beck Harmon deserts her, far away from the rumors that he's just like his father. When the wanderer returns, dreams of forever blossom in Savvy's heart, but she worries he'll leave again. Can Beck convince Savvy that her true beauty comes from her inner strength and faith? Will his idea to help burn victims regain their self-confidence restore Savvy's trust in him? Will love be what the wanderer needs to find peace for his hurting soul?
Labels: Beck's Peace, Coming Home, crazy about writing, cruising, Dora Hiers, empty nesters, peace for wandering soul, Pelican Book Group, romance, sweet romance, the best part about vacations, travel
