This Monday an elusive synthesis of Heimweh and Fernweh, homesickness and wanderlust - I can’t find the word - affects me.

What a weekend! It demands some writing to sort out.

First, the pride of watching the younger folks parent their growing families on Saturday; second, the serious medical crises of my son announced by a 5:30 am Sunday phone call; and, finally, re-meeting an old friend of 40 years past on Sunday evening all filled the weekend to the brim.

The kids do so very well as parents but how glad I am I need no longer live in that high energy ‘chaos’, 24/7. I gladly gave the 5 hours of road time to celebrate that First Birthday!

By six I arrived at the hospital, the only family member nearby, to be the important second pair of ears, the questioner, the advocate, the reassuring comforter. No longer does one just sit as a supportive presence at the hospital but dispatches instant messages to distant family to inform and reassure. Time lived and experience is so helpful. Good news! He passed the crises successfully. Other family came to hover. I moved on.

How friends in ‘the schooling years’ help form you for a lifetime even as you all begin to move on divergent paths.

The old friend, passing through, was gathering his family to the edge of the Northeastern Minnesota Wildness for a reunion. We two had spend some time together as young people on wilderness canoe trips . I later spent decades portaging and paddling in that wilderness. It is my backyard. It was his wonderful, though distant memory.

His eyes were alight with anticipation. His wife - well - maybe not so much

To her I gave this advice:

“Have an wonderful time in the wilderness.

Remember, don’t be afraid to curse at it when necessary. It sometimes supplies the energy you need to get over the portage.”

…….

Perhaps the word is Wisdom - Sophia