Risk and the Return to Routine

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If there was any moment I felt closer to death, it was in the twelfth hour of my flight from Sydney to LA. We had hit turbulence two hours ago and it hadn't stopped. Cabin service had been suspended and there was at least half a dozen passengers using their complimentary motion sickness bags. As much as I wanted to touch down and be home, I wanted to find the next flight to somewhere else. And not because it might be warm and sunny at a different latitude. And not because that somewhere else might be better than here, but because I knew Mark and I would have to finish (or begin) what we started before we left.

For seven weeks, we escaped. And we learned a few things; as bad a reputation as Americans have overseas, every other European and Commomwealth country are surely catching up; and as much as we are berated for our political system (and most of you know I how feel about this), we are equally praised for generating ideas about medicine, science, technology and business.

But if there is one thing traveling has taught us, it's the ability to take a risk. Even at 30 years old, with a mortgage and career before us, giving up a little a security to get closer to who we are, is well worth the risk.

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Comments

[julie]

Is that Brad Pitt and Shakira?

[madge]

the stuff of life
amen sister. amen

[Les "almost a civilian" Cummings]

taking a risk
Mark and Leighann....I admire your risk taking, at a time when so many couples your age are worried about their 401k's and how are they going to "keep up with the..." both of you took a risk...in each other and created lifetime memories. Way to go!

[chris]

SI 2006 Beanie Issue
Mark, I pray to god that you weren't wearing the beanie you gave me somewhere else...

[mangelo]

wa?
Holy turd... Mark grew like 24" while he was there!

[Mom]

OMG
You both have the same ass.............

[Darren]

What do they think of Americans now?
who took that picture and what do they think of our brash, free spirited, do what I want, *pale* American rear ends now?! I'm not sure you helped international relations with that pose!