For the last four years, I have traveled at least four times a year. In fact, in 2004, I went to Florida in February, Chicago in April, Ohio in September – and Boston in October. In 2001, 2002 and 2003, I traveled to those same destinations and others which included Alaska, Colorado and Canada. But so far this year – the farthest I have gotten is Staten Island. Usually by this time of year, I already have two vacations under my belt, but due to commitments, clients and financial constraints – I can’t go on vacation right now – and to be honest – I never needed a vacation more in my life than I do right now.

Every time I go on vacation, I look at it as an trip, a chance to see good friends – and another place I can say that I have been. But at this point in my life, a vacation would be an escape – a necessity. This has been a tough year for me so far and to get the chance to disappear for a while would be welcomed and valued more than it ever has before. More than any other year of my life, 2005 has been a year that has seen me grow more as a person than ever – both personally and professionally. I have come to terms with myself in more ways than I ever have before – and I see the world through a wiser and more educated set of eyes. But as a result of that personal growth – I have suffered a lot of pain, anger and heartbreak, which makes the prospect of a vacation all the more enticing, necessary and therapeutic.

If I do take any vacations this year, I made myself a promise that I would only travel to places I have never been before. I love going to see my friends each year – but I want to see more of our world than I have already seen. One place on my list is Casper, Wyoming where my friends Terry and Tish live. They are getting married on June 11th and have invited me to their wedding. I do have a $266 credit on Delta Airlines that I could put toward any destination in the Continental United States up until November 20th – but I still have to come up with another $300 for the flight, along with gift, souvenir and food and lodging money. I really want to go and as I stated before, I really need a vacation – so hopefully if I can swing it – maybe I do have my first trip of the year coming up after all.

Everybody needs a break from their everyday lives once in a while, and I need my quarterly fix of vacationing now more than ever. And while I may not get to escape this year as many times as I have done in the past – I look forward to the next time I am buckled into an airline seat as I watch the ground below me get smaller and smaller – whenever that may be.