homeward bound

well, in just a matter of days, we load up the car and hit the road. i can't believe it. our time here went so fast it's crazy. in many ways i am ready to depart. in so many ways, i am not ready. this place has infused a love of country living that is palpable. a life amongst more trees than people, an easy pace and friendly locals, of lakes, farmhouses, small cape-style homes and family. all the houses have stars on them, how could i NOT love living here?! everything is so vivid, i've actually sat and marveled for hours at the fluffiness of the clouds, and also had lightening strike closer and louder than i've ever experienced! i am not sure how we'll feel about the bay area once we arrive, it is a place so familiar and dear to us, and yet i know we will arrive changed by this experience.

it will be hard for me to tear myself away from my family. i really love being here with them and being a part of their lives. we seem to have merged in a beautiful way that i've always longed for. i am so thankful that i had this time to create these lasting memories.

and so, with six months of incredible experiences imbedded in our hearts, we will venture out across america to return to SF...stopping in badlands, yellowstone, glacier national park, washington and back down to the bay. i am looking forward to these 2 weeks on the road. vacation. freedom. playing. nola is staying at my brother's place in texas while we relocate, so this time, we don't have to worry about her while on the road. thank you marty & theirrie!!

i hope my parents are able to manage ok. is it foolish to think end of life can be entirely what you make it? it looks hard and full of challenges that i can't even really imagine. i can't stress enough: sense of humor and hobbies and healthy living!!! i hope that if i immerse my life with things i love to do and surround myself with people i care for and take good care of my body and mind, growing old might possibly be full of purpose. we'll see how that goes!! part of me wants to believe that if you treasure every moment and value every experience, it is all part of your path, necessary steps along the way, no matter what age. maybe aging does not have to just represent loss. rather a deepening of oneself, as we marinate in our wisdom and our journey and our bodies. so much to say on this topic, as we are all aging a bit every day...this is our truth.

our eta is around 7/26 to be back in the bay, and we just found out that our old corte madera cottage is available again...so maybe it's a sign! :)

thank you for coming along for the ride and will post again with stories from our cross country trip. if there are any must-see's along the northern route - send them our way!! love to all xoxo jen