This whole year has been full of things I didn't expect, new experiences, extreme loss, new joy, overcoming fear. Sheesh, you start feeling a little bored with things... watch out!
After losing my beloved Grandpa, I didn't know what was next. How do I go on without Grandpa? Life as I knew it was over. The sense of loss has been agonizing.
I'm not sure if losing Grandpa had anything to do with it- maybe a reminder to seize the day, life is short, do the things you've dreamed of doing... so I went to Palestine. Probably not on the top ten list of most people, but I needed to go. That occupied a month of my summer. (Pun intended)
And right before I left for the Middle East came a new joyful person to our family- beautiful Bereket. She is still a little wary around me, but that's okay. We'll be good friends soon enough.
I missed my family so much while I was gone- not being able to play with the kids, discuss things with everyone. It was a good learning experience being away- discovering that living overseas was probably not the best route for me ; )
When I got back from Palestine my boss told me I'd been given a possible assignment by our executive director to go to South Africa to work on a project for 2.5 weeks! Wah?! They've never sent me anywhere before! I just found out last week that I'm going. For sure. I have a round-trip ticket. Trippy. I will spend that time in Cape Town with two other colleagues... I'm still in shock, but that will mean another 3 weeks away from work. I like how this is working out.
Also not forgetting the two weeks coming up where I will be eating gelato twice a day and reading books and looking at the rolling hills of Italy. It will be bittersweet knowing that this trip was supposed to happen during April- but we couldn't leave, not when Grandpa was sick. No way.
So my summer in Seattle was short, but I'll be making a trip to the southern hemisphere, so it will be spring soon. Isn't that a lovely thought?
(A few photos from June, July and early August- lots more GREAT photos to post, stay tuned.)
Mark, Sarah and Baby B arrive! I love the look on TT's face, oh is this a little sister? 
Family BBQ in Monroe- TT is preparing for A to jump in!
Look how graceful A is!
An evening sail on Sarah's birthday- perfect.
Sarah, B and Captain Mike
2 comments:
South Africa?! Cool! Didn't I just see you last night? I can't believe you kept that in!
Great to have you back!
and b/c I just realized I used so many.... here's one more: !
Love you - my world-traveling cousin:) J
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