Lessons

With all my things packed up, I am ready for a long drive home to Thousand Oaks tomorrow morning. The brief window of time that was my experience in the Napa Valley has come to an end, and like too many things--more quickly than expected. I wonder now, did I take advantage of my experience here? How will I look back on this month? (How many days and nights did I walk past St. Peter's in Vatican City, as quickly as possible, staring at the ground with headphones on, cursing tourists? What would I not give to be back in Rome now? How many times in college did I leave a bar early, choosing to get more sleep instead of another drink? What would I not give to join my friends for one more beer now? To be a Freshman again at Notre Dame?)

Leaving Napa, my car will be heavier by the three mixed cases of wine I have collected.

I met many people, and learned something from all of them. I have some new ideas in my head--a new appreciation for California wines. For brief moments, I was a winemaker. I accomplished many of my goals. I ate and drank well. I worked hard. I had fun.

But, I also drove past the vineyards too quickly.

I suspect that despite all the fond memories, I will regret the times I did not notice the vineyards--not that I didn't see them there, but that I failed to slow down and appreciate them fully.