Going Home

Why is it that I only need walk in my parent's front door and I immediately put on 5 pounds??? Perhaps this is a testament to the type of treatment I receive there. My parents are thrilled to have me, they ply me with food and take me out to dinner, and I get to relax . . . A LOT. I just returned from 5 wonderful days in Wyoming. Yes, just me and my parents for five whole days. I left David here with the kids and he did a wonderful job (a little too good of a job if you ask me - my kids didn't miss me that much :).

Since I'm the youngest, I had my parents to myself for 8 years before I graduated from high school. And after my Dad's health issues in August, it just seemed time to have some one-on-one time with them again. We didn't really do much while I was there. Mostly played games, talked, went out to eat once with my brother, his wife, and his son, and solved mind puzzles like Sudoku and word scrambles. But isn't the fact that we all had a great time without doing much a testament to our relationship. Just being together is all we need. Relationships are made of time and experience (I got that somewhere but can't remember where). I'm grateful I've had so much time with my Mom and Dad. I appreciate David taking time off work so I could visit them in January. I appreciate the person I am because of who my parents are. And believe me, I see myself becoming more like them every day. And thank goodness, that is a good thing most of the time :). And I appreciate just being in Wyoming for a few days. When I attended college, my friend Julie and I would let out a whoop of joy when we crossed the Utah/Wyoming border. It felt like we could breathe easier once we crossed that line. I felt a bit like whooping for joy when we landed in Billings last week. Just knowing I didn't have to worry about homework, backpacks, lunches, laundry, dinner, pack meeting, piano competition, and basketball was a huge relief. A welcome break. But I'm back now and so glad to be here. And wouldn't you know it, the time I felt the most homesick for my kids was at church - AT CHURCH. Can you believe that???? Not if you've ever seen us at church! Yet, when I sat down and noticed a family there with six young children, I suddenly wished I had my little squirmers with me. Oi-vey!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - families are the greatest gift our Father in Heaven gives to us. I certainly love mine.