Travel is . . .

. . . Coming home

After all these years of travel, coming home has become a ritual. I unpack my toiletries, medicine and clean clothes as soon as I can. I do laundry - almost compulsively - and slowly empty the shoes, purses and the rest of the clothes, setting the dry cleaning aside for my next journey out.

I find the ritual comforting. While the travels may all be different, the sameness of returning to my home: my kitchen, my bed, my own belongings is very soothing.

That's not to say I don't enjoy travel as much as I used to. I still love the wandering and just returned from a seven-day cruise on the wonderful Allure of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest ginormous ship. It was great. The ship is huge and offers a variety of wonderful entertainment, seemingly countless venues to pack on calories and great service.

I spent two days on the inaugural of the ship late last year and this past seven days, but I am sure there are a great many more surprises for me the next time I sail.

I had a good time with my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons and we are all looking forward to the arrival this weekend of another son, daughter-in-law and grandson and more family time.

And I am putting the finishing touches on a trip to New York.

There'll be plenty of time when I get old(er) to stay home.

As comforting as it is to be back.