Re-entry

Apr 13

Re-entry

I’m back!  (And jet-lagged.  Ha!)

I gave big hugs to say good-bye to the ones I left behind.  Boo!

I claimed more big hugs from the ones who were waiting to greet me on this end.  Yay!

I’m a blessed woman indeed.

The things I’ll remember most from this trip are the lingering conversations.  That, and the laughter.  Not having my children with me meant that I was better at asking questions and listening to the answers.  We sat, and walked, and ate, and drank shoulder-to-shoulder and talked all the way along the week.  Sometimes our view was exotic and spectacular; I breathed in sharply and soaked those moments into my soul.  Most of the time it was the people I zeroed in on.  I’ve long since had a great repoire and dialogue with my aunts and uncles.  They are some of my biggest cheerleaders and encouragers.  As the oldest cousin at 35 and my youngest cousin at 19, our generation are all now officially adults and our relationships, our friendships, have the capacity to be much deeper.  We are no longer united only by the ties of the our parents and grand-parents, we too are weaving our own ties.  I like them.  They are fun interesting people whom I’m proud of and pleased to know.

My grandfather used to say, “Remember who you are,” as we — the family — would leave his house.  I’m one of the family, and I’m proud of my life, this legacy.

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8 of 11 cousins together at the wedding.

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A night out after the wedding.

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Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder talking as we spotted dolphins, manta-rays and turtles in the water below.

Ahh, it’s good to remember, and it’s good to be home.  Re-entry is like that.

 

6 comments

  1. ShannonK /

    Aww Jen! I am so glad you had that opportunity to be with family! And even more glad you are back! Oddly I missed you this week even though we don’t talk on the phone or hang out. Your seat was empty at church and I missed you! Well – I just needed to get that off my chest :-). I love you!!!

  2. Patty /

    I loved all the pictures… What a great trip and family is the best.

  3. Michelle /

    Love that you were able to take this trip! What a fantastic surprise for your family 🙂

  4. So happy for you. So love this! Priceless!

  5. I’m so glad that this opportunity presented itself and that you (and your wonderful man) took it for all that it was worth.

  6. peggy /

    Coming from a family of closely knit cousins, I’m so happy you had the opportunity to spend such a happy week with your extended family! Loved the excitement of it all….and the pictures! It’s going to be hard to ever top that cool adventure! ♥p