And Home, sings me of sweet things. My life there has it's own wing's. Fly over the mountain though I'm standing still.
Bonnie Raitt
As the week winds down, I am happy to be back in my own space, with my friends and neighbors. The crisp fall air, the hot dark coffee, the pure joy of time together is something I will never take for granted again.It's Autumn in the northwest and I am as happy as a clam!
I have a confession to make, I have never lived alone in my adult life. It's strange because I have brothers, a sister, a wife, two children, and I've been blessed to see them and interact with them all my life. I have this past 3 weeks lived away from home for the longest time of my life. It is truly unusual! On Tuesday of this week, I awoke at 3:30 a.m. and realized I was experiencing something I have never felt. I was homesick! Excited as a child on a fishing trip, I sat outside in the humid warm air and listened to the Cicada bugs as I waited for time to go by, time slowly slipped by.
North Carolina, is one of the most gracious places I have ever been. It is the South. A rich long history and a meandering pace, it makes you feel as welcome as a newborn. To say people are kind is an understatement. They are thoughtful and caring and very inquisitive about you (" you flew all the way down from Seattle? Does it rain there all the time?") We opted to tell them the truth, sorry Emmett Watson, no it doesn't and if they get a chance please come visit.
We moved to Seattle in 1987 and immersed in Northwest culture. I wanted to know as much as I could about the Pacific Northwest, and quickly realized that this is a special place.People here take you at your word and will be willing to help you up in most ways. As an elementary school child I learned of the history known as "Potlatch". The Natives of Puget Sound were fishermen, and gathers and farmers.All summer and fall,they would gather foods and wood and resources for winter and in winter they would get together and celebrate and share their bounty. This is a way to give thanks, a way to fellowship, and a way to continue the flow of love in our Family of man.
This is a tradition that hopefully will go on forever! We have shared dinner for almost every Friday night for the last 20 some years with friends, family and even sometimes strangers. Nothing in my life is more enjoyable than laughing talking and eating with those that I care for. It's crowded, noisy and generally most wonderful as you experience and continually build the bond that ties tightly together.
Coming to Heather's house Monday night, my heart swelled seeing and hugging and talking with everyone.My Sister, My friends, children and grandchildren. We ate pizza and shared time and smiled a lot. As I have told you , I am a blessed man, and I won't hesitate to say Thank you, I Love you, I missed your voice. Please enjoy your hours together! Forgive a lot, bend a little, and take care of each other.
Skip
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