I have returned.

Hey, I'm back. My absence from the Blogosphere seems like months comparable to the time between the first day of a college course and finals week. Crap, why did I skip class the entire semester? What's going to be on the finals? Did we have a term paper? Ok, it ain't quite as bad as this recurring nightmare, but part of me feels like I have to start over, reinvent myself, go back to square one, reevaluate why I'm doing what I'm doing (& why I'm doing it).

Honestly, up until yesterday I was heavily leaning towards pulling the plug on my blog. I had spent an incredible kidless holiday with Mom MD cruising Southern Florida in a convertible (top down, of course). I had been reading a fantastic book titled "Beautiful Boy" by David Sheff about his son's meth addiction. I had an opportunity to see three very different, but incredibly moving movies while in Florida - "Taken", "Gran Torino", and "Revolutionary Road." I had the privilege of attending my first spring training game at the home of my beloved St. Louis Cardinals, fly first class (cashed in mega-miles for this one), and eat native Floridian stone crab at a world famous restaurant in South Miami Beach. This was our second extended kidless romp since the triplets were born.

I documented some of my experiences in FL via mobile Facebook technology so friends/family could see what I was doing on my vacation. When I returned home my Mom mentioned an article that those who have the ability to travel often don't talk about it because perhaps they're embarrassed or don't want others to feel badly that they can't go on vacations as a result of the down economy. This bothered me on multiple levels, but specifically let me address two.

First of all, I know that my true friends (& even extended friends and newly reacquainted high school and college friends from Facebook) and of course, relatives are interested in where I go, and what I'm doing (as I am with them). Secondly, we all know that life is fleeting. Quality of this space in time from birth to death depends on some circumstances we can control and some we can't. Job loss, personal injury or death of a relative or friend, for example, can happen at anytime putting one in a world of physical, emotional and even spiritual pain.

I wholeheartedly believe in "Carpe Diem." Mom MD in her own style taught me to live beyond what's happening next month or in the distant future, but to embrace the present and take advantage of what's available today. When I arrived home after vacation, I couldn't wait to see my children (or kidlets as Mom MD might say). They are my life and everything else is secondary. This includes blogging.

I've decided to continue blogging as long as my visitors will have me. I probably just won't do as many entries. I know that friends and relatives stop by occasionally, but don't comment on the blog. I have had feedback via e-mail or on Facebook from friends saying that "you never know who might visit your blog" or that they "look forward to my next entry." I appreciate that. By the way, in the Blogsphere, we refer to you as "lurkers" which doesn't sound too good, but don't take this to heart. I love you anyway :)