home to stay...feels so good

I have awoken to my own home for the first time since June and I know I am home for a while. That’s a good feeling. The journey home from the eastern seaside was a day of flying with Kira, and two days of driving for my men. All I can think is that car must really stink. I know when they get together they eat beans and then have a contest with the music they can make. I’m thankful I got to fly with baby girl.

After a summer of flying with Kira, I am convinced I can travel anywhere with her. On the twelve flights she’s been on in six weeks, she never had one crying fit. When she’s tired, she slips her finger between her lips, pull her blanket up to her earlobe, drops into my lap. I don’t even need to sing a lullaby, God help the whole plane if I had to do that. She’s a natural traveler and I’m so impressed, and encouraged.

The only problem I encounter traveling with her is I am a spectacle, and everyone in the whole terminal watches us. I feel eyes on me everywhere all the time with the big smiles.  Then there is this dying need strangers have to touch her skin, and tell me she’s so cute or beautiful. It is wonderful to be admired, I’ll admit that, but sometimes we just want to blend in and go under the radar and rest our social abilities. No chance for that in an airport where the favorite pastime is people watching…specifically a red headed mama with a dark chocolate baby on her back.

She was as happy to see her own bed as I was. But no one was as happy  as our cat was to hear us walk in the door. A friend checked in on Coco now and then during the week, but she wasn’t allowed outside and that made her an ornery kitty. When I appeared she cried and rubbed against me all night long. She even slept pressed against my upper body. She’s never done that before. She’ll stay near my feet, but now I see when she’s love starved she’ll even risk being near my face and arms. Wow, anything is possible. Cats are a study in taking without giving. I got to the point with her demonstrative love when I needed to hold her and she nearly scratched me to get away. It’s not fair. I have needs too.

I’m sitting on the balcony from my kitchen that overlooks our pretty tree filled back yard, listening to the squirrels quarrel, the birds call, and the bugs buzz. It is good to be home. It will be better when I prepare a home cooked meal for my boys and have it ready for them when they walk in the door. Home is sitting around the table with all seven of us sharing and laughing. I know the first thing they do after they kiss me hello is look into the fridge, which is completely empty. That means Kira and I have some menus, lists, and shopping to do. But I am home and after being away so long the mundane takes on a fresh energy and almost feels like fun. I’m even thinking I might enjoy doing laundry.  Who kidnapped my senses?

Kevin having a collision with the ocean.

Today is July 28, and twenty two years ago I walked down the aisle and married the most incredible boy who turned into be this really amazing man. I love him and admire him more every year, I am so thankful for our marriage, but we will be apart today.

This is exactly “us”.

Wah. We’ve agreed to postpone our celebration until next weekend. I’m thinking some kayaking on Canyon Lake. Yes. Or, kayaking down the Guadalupe river… if it were up to me… I’d hire a hot air balloon (never done that before) but my husband is shaky with heights. I don’t want to scare him out of staying married to me for another twenty-two years. I do know my limits when adventure includes him. Maybe I’ll do that with Jordan on his eighteenth birthday, he’s not afraid of heights, Jack can come because he isn’t either, but the rest of them can wave to us from below. Somehow I’ll find a fun way to celebrate our marriage.

THanks Mom and Dad for a great vacation reunion at the beach! Can’t wait for it again next year.

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