I just returned from a surprise 48-hour trip home to Missouri. I bought my ticket about a week before and decided not to tell anyone I was coming - well ok, I told a few people. It's hard to pull off a surprise all by yourself. One of my best friends had a baby a few days before. It was the first time I wasn't at the hospital to support my friend and meet the newest addition to her life; and it was a fact of living away that was hard for me to accept. So, I booked the next reasonably-priced flight I could find.
Seeing my friend as a mama for the first time was priceless. I got to spend an entire, uninterrupted day with my mom and my sister. It was the first relaxing trip I've had since we moved.
The distance is still hard. I love my new city so much; it would be even better if it were closer to home. I'm not great at balancing everything, but I've learned some lessons in the last nine months:
1. Sometimes you just have to show up. Huge life changes don't happen often and I'll never forget meeting little Clara for the first time. I remember meeting Stella #1, Stella #2, Thomas, Reese, and Dane like it was yesterday.
2. You can't be everything to everyone, although you can drive yourself crazy trying.
3. Living away means missing out on the day-to-day. But the lasting relationships in your life won't suffer that much because you pick up right where you left off.
4. I have two homes now, and that's not bad. It's like double the goodness.
Happy birthday, baby Clara.
you put it in the most perfect words. even after 9 years, the distance is still hard for me too!
ReplyDeletelove this post....and love YOU.
ReplyDeleteglad we got to hug you and chat for a little bit.
stella's face when she saw you and ran to hug you was the best.