Where did it go?

Where did it go?  When I say "it" I mean our money.  Three years ago, we sold our home in Texas and moved up to Wisconsin and put a good chunk of money in our savings account. It seems like that account is decreasing too rapidly.  Enough of a decrease that I often think (usually in the middle of night tossing and turning), "Where did it go?"

Last night was one of those tossing-and-turning nights. I wondered how I could determine where did it (money) go?  Then I remembered that I often take photos of our trips and travels, so I got up at 1:30 a.m. and started looking at photos to determine where did WE go in order that IT has gone?

As I reviewed photos, I suddenly remembered trips that the memories had receded into my brain.  I added up the days of trips and travels and found that WE did go.... a lot!  In fact about 30% of the time in three years (45 weeks of 156 weeks), we have been traveling and exploring the world.  It's not cheap to travel, that is why many people are limited in doing so because of work schedules and/or finances.  

We were gone six months traveling to, from and within two warm-winter climate states, Arizona and Alabama.  We traveled 10 weeks outside the USA - Panama Canal, Central America, Sweden, Europe, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada.  The other weeks were spent in Colorado, Michigan, Milwaukee, New York City, California, Hawaii and numerous long-weekend trips around the Midwest.  Traveling by car, bus and airplane and staying at hotels.... it all adds up.  Can't forget all the sightseeing fees and expenses.  

Wow!  It was good to be reminded of how lucky we have been to see and do so much.  So, where did IT go?  IT went to new experiences, explorations, sights, and lots of photos. IT may go, but the memories will increase and be stronger than ever.  No one can take that away from us.