My re-entry back from my PNW trip has been tough. Full disclosure? Depression has smacked me really hard, right between the eyes. Before I left, I wondered if it would. When I was with my people I made the conscious effort to absorb as much of their energy as I could, so that I could create a sort of storage for their amazingness. I also came back to Michigan knowing that Thanksgiving was just around the corner, in which I would be with some of the best of my people. I tried to prepare for the possibility, but I was probably several days into it before I really saw it.
I want to whine, and kick my feet and tell the universe that I simply can not live here anymore. Here in the land of cement colored skies and a community culture that, try as I might, I will just never understand. (Also, leaving home is tough because the things you fall behind on, while you’re gone, don’t magically get done. No. You come home to the house you need to clean, the laundry you need to do, the fridge you need to stock. As dumb as it may sound, it was overwhelming…)
That aside, I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you what my adventure contained…
- Catching up with twenty-plus friends, and realizing again (and again) that I my friends are really beautiful people and I am really, really very lucky to know them
- Cuddling two brand new baby boys
- loving on six awesome, joyful dogs
- hanging out with my amazing sister
- meeting the beautiful boy who has made me a great-aunt
- celebrating the birthdays of my two handsome nephews
- feeling the silky curls which belong to my beautiful grand-daughter, along with drinking in the smell of her baby scented head
- going to one movie, with my bff
- filling up my soul with goodness, at my church (which I miss TERRIBLY)
- dining on familiarly amazing things (an estimated 900 duck fat/truffle salt fries, handmade eclectic ice cream, authentic street tacos, Korean tacos, a decadent wine tasting spread, and so much more…)
- a strong debate over the ranking qualities of the Nutty Buddy vs. the Ding Dong
- surviving what very well could have been a haunted halloween
- one paper crafting project with the bestie, who is a paper crafter extraordinaire
- a handful of really fun photo shoots (thank you so much, and you’re welcome!)
- a sleepover complete with rum, conversation, late night scary-ish stuff including a string of truly bizarre you-tube videos and pizza
- a bazillion laughs
- a few tear-filled talks
- an unnatural amount of calorie filled coffee made in the land where barista-ing is done right
- a mini road trip, unlike one I’d ever had before, leading the secret place where all of the unique convenience store snacks are hidden
- adding another phenomenal Chinese massage to my collection of experiences
- meeting my now-Washington State Safeway boyfriend
It is truth that the home of my past feels best, smells best and tastes best, though I am old enough to realize that the biggest reason because it is more the special occasion place than the every day. (though, don’t get me wrong, many of those things would be great every day to do things…)
Rainy Day in May... 