Here vs There
About 10 – 12 years ago, we were entertaining thoughts of retiring outside the United States. The only places we would consider had to meet three requirements:
- Semi-tropical to tropical climate.
- English was the lingua franca
- The cost of living had to be low enough to afford us to live comfortably
After much searching, we found the perfect spot:
the Bay Islands off the coast of Honduras, had a fair sized ex-patriot community, English speaking and a Caribbean life-style. As I said – perfect.
Well, Mrs. Chief said, “What about doctors and medical care?”
That pretty much ended that discussion.
Fast forward to this post earlier today. The thought of leaving the old US of A surfaces again. And then I ask myself, “Why?” Will “there” be any better than “here?” Am I really that unhappy with “here” that going “there” will make me happier? Can I do anything to make “here” better or happier? I fully realize that I cannot change the Congress’ bone headed decisions. I can’t stop the extraordinary renditions or the abuse of prisoners at Gitmo.
“Here” or “there” all the things that tempt me to go, will still continue to happen.
Reality is I’ll most likely stay here in Ohio, because Mrs. Chief will be the executrix of her 83 year old parents estate when they pass and we have three dogs and four cats. Not likely to give them up.
UPDATE: Some years ago, a stand-up comedian, possibly George Carlin but a Google search reveals nothing, did a routine on “here” vs “there.” I was trying to capture the essence of that routine. In other words, “there” will be no better than “here” if you leave “here” for the wrong reasons. There are or can be a lot of good reasons for leaving “here” and going “there.” But leaving in a fit of anger over the voting on the FISA bill is the wrong reason.
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