Here we are back in the Valley again for a week. We're here because it's the weekend of the Homeschool Convention, one of the last chances for the kids to be with friends before school starts, and it gives Tim a chance to touch base with his reps and potential clients in the city.
I really like the spring and summer in the mountains. I enjoy the daily showers that pass through, how a lot of the brown turns green, the Scottish thistles bloom, I enjoy working down at the Farmer's Market on Saturdays, and the people at our new church are very nice and supportive, still...
My heart feels so happy when I'm back in the valley. I don't miss the close houses, the traffic, and the extreme heat during July & August (although I do love the heat, so I don't mind that too much). What I do miss is the palm trees, the pretty sunsets this time of year, saving money because there's so many places to buy our necessities here that competition keeps prices super-low compared to "up on the hill". I love that there's always something cheap or even free to do. I like being reunited with my dear friends from here. We've shared some incredible journeys together, and to see that all of us have had things turn out for the best is just heart-warming. I enjoy how happy my kids are when they finally get to spend time with friends they've missed so much. And I enjoy that at night, I get Tim to myself - he's not working til all hours of the evening, no one interrupts our time together, he has a pretty normal 8 - 6 day, then the nights are for strengthening our marriage and family. That's something we never had before because of his late-night sales jobs, he always had to work weekends, and when he was off, he was too tired to go anywhere or do anything. At home up on the hill, he gets more texts, calls and "I need your help"s because he's there, he's convenient. When we're here, it's like no one intrudes, or he's more willing to put his cell phone on silent to go somewhere with our family.
I appreciate being able to live in the mountains during this period of changes and transitions, but my heart won't be really happy until we're back in the valley again, at least through the winters. I spent 30-something years feeling like an outsider in New England. When we moved to the Valley in 2003, I knew I was finally at rest, at peace, "home". I can't wait to get back "home" again. Hopefully it'll be a year from now and no more.
Where's your "home"?
