Being back in the States is just not an easy thing, no matter which way you write it or photo it or experience it. I’m torn between it getting easier each time we come–we learn the ropes; we learn what works and what certainly doesn’t; we learn ourselves enough to know what we can handle–and getting harder as “home” becomes more and more elusive.
In the last eight weeks, we’ve covered seven states. We’ve met a new niece and a new nephew. We’ve bought clothes for the next three years. We’ve shared our stories and photos; we’ve tried to tell you how great our little neighborhood is and just how much we love them.
The most important thing of this furlough, though, has been learning to just be. Whether you feel like you’ve just returned home or landed on another planet, just enjoy it. Once the tickets are purchased, be all in, because you probably aren’t going to be paying to change it. So when you’re Stateside, be there. Don’t wish it quicker or slower; less busy or more. Just look at the person in front of you–the real 3D, non-FaceTime version of them!–and give it all you’ve got.
And this, is where my hashtag for this trip comes from (well, this and being a millennial!): #happytobehere.
And we have been. We’ve been so happy to be here, I haven’t really said a word about it on this blog. I’ve just been soaking up the real live people we love in front of us!
And beyond the people, we’ve enjoyed the libraries and the parks! The good root beer and the cheeses. We’ve sat in coffee shops and visited Target whenever we (I) wanted to! We’ve even tried to hard to appreciate the cold, but that has been harder than I anticipated. While I’m not ready to melt again, I am ready to feel my toes.
We have three more weeks to enjoy, before we head back to celebrate life in our community all over again. Because we will really be happy to be there, too. Here’s to hoping I can manage a few blogs about all the fun we’ve had stateside before we fly out!