The time has come again for me to give into my wanderlust. To pick up these wonderful Texas roots that I have planted and to travel to the Pacific North West. To trade Tornadoes for Volcanoes and Earthquakes (I've missed earthquakes). The decision was not an easy one to make, Mrs Sigboy actually pushed this one very hard. Her health should be better in the mountains (and contrary to popular opinion, I'd like to keep her alive at least a bit longer). But everything fell into place once I finally gave into it and allowed myself to follow that star that always seems to be pulling me anyways. The pull towards the next great adventure, to see and learn new things, to not live my life constrained by what society says you must do.
As you read this, the Sigboy caravan is heading north, enjoying a family vacation as we make our way to Spokane. Many stops are planned, Rushmore, Little Big Horn, maybe even an old gold mine or two. But the leaving of Texas will be bittersweet.
To all my Texas friends that I am leaving behind, know that you are the best group of people I have ever met in my travels. From liberals to conservatives, religious zealots to hippy's, door kickers to zombie hunters, from college students to the old and infirmed, you have all touched my life and made me a better man for it. Never have I lived in a place where I felt so welcome and appreciated. Never did I think that I would live in a place where mother's would come up to me and thank me for the influence that I have had on their son's life. Never have I felt more at home then I do here. Thank you for your hospitality and your open arms. Never have I felt like I truly contributed to society, and been blessed for it. Thank you for letting me be a Texan, at least for a little while.
My friends, until fate brings us together again. I leave you with the words of Tolkien, who captured this far more eloquently then I could.
"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king."
J.R.R. Tolkien
