I just finished the amazing book "On The Road" by Jack Kerouac. Wow! That's all I can say. I was really drawn in by the romantic ways Kerouac describes the journeys of Sal Paradise, who, quite possibly was really Jack himself. Every chapter told in vivid detail the aching desire of a man's journey in finding a life he truly loved. I can't help but find myself daydreaming and seeing myself along side ol' Sal on his travels. Such excitement, fear, and love fueled his soul.
As I finished the book, I could not help but feel sadness for not being able to be part of his life any longer. What a journey. I compare my search for my "Mission" with the experiences in the book. I learned something about myself in the last chapters. I really learned how much I love people and their relationships....their friendships....their love. If my "Mission" is to travel, I fear the thought of having to move on....to move away from those people, those relationships...and feel that I will be left with an empty sadness. Sadness I don't yet have because I haven't met them yet. The biggest part of the journey is the relationship with these people....and I already feel the sadness of having to say good-bye to them. The same sadness I have in saying good-bye to Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty.

Good-bye ol' pals and thanks for the ride.