Returning

Living in my hometown again for the first time in....sheesh....over fifteen years has proven interesting.  In so many ways.  Here are just a few examples of what's happened in these last three and a half months:  I've moved into a part of town I'm not particularly fond of but have since found somewhat charming (mostly because of our large, cozy, cottage-like flat); I've watched my stepfather wage war against health issues that started with a stroke last summer and continued through winter with surgery and radiation treatments for a cancer from which he is now free; I've become a great aunt for the second time to a precious, soft, sweet-smelling, Mohawk hairstyle sporting little girl named Jersey; I've watched both my sisters come to terms with relationships that weren't working for them (one of them almost three decades in the making) for one reason or another and plan the next steps in their lives as solo women with hope; Last week, as many family and friends looked on, we celebrated the life of my Uncle Bobby and put him to rest after a massive heart attack took him at too young an age; I've worried about my mother's health as she's struggled with multiple issues and additionally was diagnosed with pneumonia a handful of days ago. 

sweet Jersey and her fabulous hair just hours after she was born

All this in addition to a new job, Tim starting his last semester of graduate school, and the every day stuff that life requires of us.  Phew...the words emotional and overwhelming quickly come to mind!  But this is what life throws our way at times.  As they say, the good with the bad.  And there is always plenty of good.  A new baby is certainly at the top of that list.  Day to day, it's the smaller things such as conversations with customers that are little moments of enlightenment.  My great nephew giving me a hug and a kiss on the cheek.  My stepdad's cherry cheese cake and his silly sense of humor.  Tim's general thoughtfulness and willingness to clean my hair out of the bathroom sink drain.  Visiting with cousins, aunts and uncles who I haven't seen in a long, long time.  Random happy memories coming back to me as I drive through this town - often things I haven't thought of in decades.  A snuggle with our kitten or playing hide and seek with her when she's just eaten and is feeling sassy.  Seeing an old school friend and catching up in the grocery store.  And sometimes it's as simple as new pajamas, clean sheets, or a seriously good cup of tea.  

These last three months have been a bit of a whirlwind, but in some ways, so have the last several years of my life.  Moving from here to there.  Working here and then there.  Living in one state and then another, one country and then another, on one continent and then another.  It's been an interesting time to say the least.  But living here again has made me realize just how much I've changed and just how blessed my life has been. 

My friends have often asked since Tim and I moved back east "remind me again why you are living there?"  My response has often been "sometimes you just have to go home."  So despite some not so great moments in these last months, I truly am glad that I've had the chance to reacquaint myself with where I grew up and spend time with the people I've known the longest in my life.  I don't know that we'll be here much beyond Tim's graduation in May, but I plan to enjoy now what returning to this area affords me.  Besides, there are surely more good times to be had and more good news to be heard.   

Happy Valentine's Day

I came home from work last night to find a sweet card, a vase full of pink and purple flowers, hot cocoa packets, and home made (from scratch) chocolate chip cookies as my gifts for Valentine's Day.  This morning I found a heart-shaped one in the mix.  Tim said it proves that he made them with love.  Awww....how cute.  He's a keeper.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.