Dreaming and Scheming

So I am feeling quite nervous about leaving the office behind for so many months.  I admit to the more than occasional thoughts of "what were we thinking" and "was I insane to think that we could leave the law practice that we have spent the last 15 years building and expect it to still be here when we returned."  Each time I mention the trip to a lawyer who runs a small practice or another small business owner I am met with a look of disbelief quickly followed by "how is that gonna work" and "I could never do it" and sometimes "you are insane, good luck with that".  

It has been a tough couple of days for me as the departure nears.  No matter how hard I work to tie things up and leave instructions behind, there is always another task.  I have come to realize that there is no possible way to make myself feel comfortable about leaving by tiding up the office.  I must dig deeper and remember all of the times that Kathy and I had abstract and whimsical conversations about taking our family on a trip like this.  I must focus on what this experience will do for Mabret and Roman's view of the world and, hopefully, their bond with one another and our bond with them. I realize that to a certain extent this is pure insanity.  Unless a family is wealthy (which we are not), there is enormous risk in a venture like this. There is emotional as well as financial risk.  The security of our family depends upon the stability of our business. 

However, there is a greater risk in not making this incredible adventure a reality.   Kathy and I built our relationship on dreaming and scheming together.  Dreaming of things that we wanted to do and then scheming until we found a way to accomplish those dreams.  Taking the boys "RTW" has always been our ultimate dream but the one that seemed hardest to reach.   At some point after Mabret came home with us from Ethiopia in January 2008, the discussion of traveling back to Africa and beyond shifted from whimsical talk over a bottle of wine to strategic planning while consulting maps and bank accounts.  We made significant life decisions including where to raise our family with this trip in the front of our minds.  We committed to making this a reality and now the reality is upon us.  

Just had a flashback to some of our early dates where the seeds of dreaming and scheming were planted and watered...with beer.  Shout out to Sassafras Cafe...one of my favorite spots for many reasons. 

As I finish this post, my thoughts have moved from the fear of what is ahead as I depart the law office that I have built with Kathy during the last 15 years to my dream of sitting under the stars with Kathy, Mabret and Roman while listening to the sounds of wildlife and nature as we safari through Tanzania. 

Tomorrow we will post an introduction to "our heros" that we leave behind to run the law practice as we travel the world.