Tuesday, May 20, 2008

We are back from the land of knotty pines and rust colored soil. It is impossible to visit Oregon without thinking of Pam. The towering pines rustle with her laughter and the two lane highway that snakes its way through Klamath National Forrest carries her song.
The memorial service for Uncle Rick was exactly as he would have wanted it. The Honor Guard performed a flag ceremony as David's grandfather's flag soared above us. Those who were able stood and shared their memories of Rick. Those who could not simply nodded in agreement. Well into the evening we ate, drank, and remembered.

It may be a while before we see this part of our family again so I soaked up as much of them as I could. I listened intently as David's cousin, Becky, told me about her plans for the future. She was 14 when I first met her, and now she is 22. I am inspired by the beautiful, strong, smart woman she has become. I did not pull away quickly from hugs that were given as I often do, and I relished hands placed on the roundness of my belly in hopes of feeling Hayden move. We talked of moments passed and dreams not yet realized and my soul was fed. In the short time that I've known them, David's family has become as much a part of me as my own family. I fit in with them so comfortably that it is almost as if I was never not a part of the family.

Being with David's family only fueled my desire to move closer to my own. What seemed like an impossible task of packing all of our things and driving across the country seems more than possible now. I am ready to be back in Pennsylvania, a landscape that is as familiar to me as my own skin. I am ready to have family that lives almost next door and to spend holidays crowded into my grandma's living room with aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am excited that Erin will get to experience a life like this and that Hayden will not know what it is like to be on our own. He and Erin will be showered with love and affection from so many and David and I will have the support we need as well as be able to offer our help and support. Of course there will be days when I will wonder why we decided to leave California and there may be times when family seems so close that I could suffocate, but I hope that at those times I will look back and remember what it was like to be far away and how much I wanted to be close to them.

5 comments:

aola said...

absolutely beautiful post

so, how long before the actual move? I know it is close now.

Unknown said...

Loved ones are what makes life worth living.

When they get too 'close' you can take a little trip!

Having Cheri and the gang just an hour away gives me so much happiness. A few hours there does more for me than just about anything else.

Nothing is as wonderful as being loved by a bunch of people that you love too.

Kelli said...

I agree, beautiful post! Although, you had me missing Oregon, which always makes me a little sad.

Where in Oregon does his family live?

Sandra said...

A, we just confirmed a moving date of July 5th with the moving company. That will put us in Oklahoma around the 7th or 8th depending on when we decide to stop. We'll be making a short trip to the Grand Canyon along the way.

CV, you are right. When they get to close, I'll take a trip and that should relieve the pressure.

Kelli, our family lives in LaPine, Redmond, and Bend. It's beautiful there.

Old Folks Blog said...

Beautiful post Sandra,
You are a bright and wise young lady and I am so proud of you.I am sure that you,David,Erin and Hayden
will do just fine as Yankies,,lol
You look pretty good,with that big round belly.
Grandma and I are doing ok,just feeling our age a little more as the days go by.
You are always in my prayers.
Love to all,
The Oldfolks.