Approval of Sabbatical

Welcome to the first "official" post of my year off blog...
Although the adventures have been in the planning stages for nearly a year, today I received district approval for a leave of absence beginning June 2015 and ending July 2016. So begins the daunting and exciting task of taking a trip of a lifetime (20 + years in waiting).

My airline ticket to Europe has been purchased and Camino de Santiago dates are finalized - as much as can be. I'll arrive in Germany June 3 and acclimate to the time for a week before beginning in St. Jean  Pied de Port June 9. It will be good to spend the time with family in Germany, its been too long since we've visited one another. My days on the Camino will follow John Brierley's guide and a meetup with a friend in Sarria around July 10th, entering Santiago on the 14th. Then on to Finisterre and back to Germany for a rest. I plan on conquering the European continent in the following months through November, but no definite dates or destinations as of yet.

Although the date is still months away, I can feel the angst of pending loss building already. I am leaving for a long time, at least it seems so now. I know in reality, the time will pass quickly, but still I struggle. With my grandson turning one next month, I worry about how he will feel not seeing me for such a long time and what I will miss out on as he grows and changes so much. I worry about how I will change and how the people important to me will change and if we can find our way to each other again. Will I lose more than I gain?