Wednesday, December 15, 2010

SEEING YOUR SHADOW

It’s a rush.


Finding out your change of station destination is that same breath-taking moment when you reach the pinnacle of a really rockin' rollercoaster. The wave of emotion swiftly rolls through — and then you open your mouth to smile, scream, cry, laugh, or just breathe.


And then the ride’s over. All that waiting in line, and the moment is just that — a moment. Now you know. Time to look at the picture and to process.


For us, we’re returning next year to England, where our third child was born in 2002.


A friend recently asked me, not exactly but essentially, if I had one period of time to do over — like an extended Groundhog Day, what would it be?


The very next day, we learned we are slated to return to Mildenhall, where we lived in and around from 2002-2006. I immediately remembered that question.



It’s not a do-over, though; nothing of the sort. Our initial stay was the first time we lived overseas. Our children were infants. Our experiences were from a different perspective. Our years were filled with extreme highs and lows, never to repeat.


Little vignettes from those years keep playing through my mind. Memories, along with thoughts of friends made and lost, and lessons learned — all give me pause.


So it’s sort of like going home again. But you never truly go home, or go back, although certain places do feel more like home than others. For us, England is one of those places, for reasons both complex and simple.


For now, I’ll savor the thrill of knowing, and b-r-e-a-t-h-e into the next forward motion.

1 comment:

  1. Laurel - you have such an amazing gift...I could read your blog ALL day! Best wishes for your return to England...maybe you'll get an invite to the Royal Wedding! I think it calls for a girls trip to LONDON! I have so much respect and admiration for you and your family. Thanks for all you do!

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