Going Home

Going home always brings joy, happiness, worry, anxiety, love, and just about every other emotion you could imagine. I just got back from 2.5 weeks in the US, during that time, I slept in 9 different beds, and was constantly on the move. I flew into Seattle and spent a day with my good friend Jill and her fiance Jim - we talked about one of the most special weddings I have ever heard of, their wedding. It makes me smile to think of the great things ahead for them both, and cry when I know I will miss their special day. I also spent a day with Jenn, Jamie and Renee. What a crew we are ... 18 years of friendship - I love it when we get together. Every year, it grows and grows, no matter the distance between our houses or the differences in our lives. I also got to spend some time with the men in their lives. I met Josh for the first time, and spent an afternoon on the playground with Jamie's little Ali - his love of basketball makes me laugh - I am sure he will play in the NBA someday.

I spent an afternoon with my aunt, my uncle, my cousin, my mom, and the newest addition to our family - baby Zoe. She's incredible, I fell in love the first time she smiled at me. Mom and I drove to Yakima to see Amber get married, and to meet her new love, Chris. Seeing Amber this happy is a miracle - she had nothing but joy in her eyes.

On the way home from Yakima, mom and I bought 10lbs of Cherries. We stopped along the way as cherry fairies, bringing little red gifts of goodness to Sue, Dad, Ivan and Mel, and even Paul.

The next week, work took me to Las Vegas, and well, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.

When I came home, I got time with Mom and Paul - dinners and beers and afternoons in the sunshine! I love it. I spent the weekend with Mettie and Heather in Seattle, and bought a wedding dress - the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen. Not for me, but for Mettie. Weddings seem to be in the air... I also got to see Renee again and to spend an afternoon on Lake Union on a boat in the sunshine. I love summer.

On Sunday, I picked up Ant from the airport and we drove back to Portland. It should have been a tiring drive as it took 4 hours and we left at 10pm, but instead, I found myself wide awake. There was so much to catch up on with Ant, being without each other for 10 days meant we had all sorts of stored up stories. I love than man - he is truly my best friend.

The rest of the trip flew by, with five days in the shoug, going hiking with mom and Jan, getting fireworks from Danny, lunches with Paul, days in the sunshine and finally the fourth of july - where Ant held his own in the family bottle-rocket war!

To finish it off, we spent two lovely days with Dixie and Jill in Seattle, quiet dinners at home, and talk of all that life has to offer. I love my friends - they are all so very dear to me.

Thanks for a great trip home!