January 21, 2011- Friday Night Fires...

     Tonight, my mind is not on the warm breezes and swaying palm fronds of the atoll, but instead it is on the hiking trails of the Northwest United States and the heavily wooded land rising up behind my boyfriend’s family land in Oregon.  If I could right now, I would transport myself to this place, sitting by the backyard campfire they love to chat around on a chilly Friday night in the summers.  I know it’s not summer there right now, although that’s a hard concept to grasp when you live in a place where it’s always summer. I also know it’s probably a lot colder there than I am imagining right now, and the “Friday Night Fires” are probably being held in the house fueled by the warmth of family instead of actual fire, but that is all I am longing for right now anyway, to be surrounded by the love, warmth, and familiarity of family.

     On the other side of the U.S., in my hometown, where it rarely ever gets down to freezing temperatures, it’s been snowing a lot lately, very unusual for Alabama. Seeing pictures of my mom playing in the snow with dad is the closest I’ve been to them in over 6 months now.  I miss long talks with my mom, taking the kids to the latest exhibit at the botanical gardens or local museum. I miss making and having dinner with both my families in Alabama and Oregon.  I miss hiking the trails in the Northwest and going to the movies with the kids and my dad or going shopping with mom while dad takes the kids to the movies. :)  Basically, I miss having the opportunity to see my family and friends whenever homesickness strikes, and it seems to always strike around the “six month without a vacation” mark on the atoll calendar.  So, family and friends, give yourself a big hug from me tonight and see if you can feel the love from 6,000 miles away!