Posted by We visited my daughter in Florida several days ago. It was her birthday, and we would like to celebrate this special day with her. Even though our kids have left the nest, my wife and I still yearn to spend time with them even if it’s just for a short time, like a long weekend.
Since it was spring break, my son who is finishing his studies here in Iowa, joined us on this Florida trip too. In a few months he will be moving to California for medical school. It seems my kids are moving towards the water – one is in the Atlantic coast and one would be in the Pacific coast.
If we study the history of human settlements, it usually follows the water path. Most civilizations started near the coast line and when they moved inland they settled near rivers and lakes, as steady water supply is vital to communities. Not just for drinking, but also for farming, trade and transportation, as it is easier to transport goods and people near oceans and rivers. Water bodies moderate temperature and make areas more habitable too.
When I immigrated to the US, I first settled near the coasts, initially in New Jersey, then to New York City, then to California, and then to Florida. My last move was inland to Iowa where I have been living now for the past 21 years. My kids who are chasing their own dreams seems to be retracing back our migration as they move near the water in Florida and California.
Speaking of water, while we were in the airport terminal on our flight back to Iowa on our recent Florida trip, after clearing TSA wherein my son had to dump his water to go though security, he looked for a water fountain to refill his water bottle.
The first water fountain he found disappointed him as it was not working. That was when I told him to look up as the sign above says where the water exactly is (photo below).
Being a chemistry major he should have no problem understanding the “symbol,” right?
Does my logic on this “matter” holds water?