Coming Home

It was very good for me to get away this past weekend, even to a God-forsaken place like Anaheim.  (Well, there was plenty of godliness at the Religious Education Congress, though – even if I didn't attend the sessions, I felt good about what happens there.)  Melissa and I did get to hear a dynamic, wonderful speaker named Jack Jezreel, who founded the national "JustFaith" program in which I participated a couple of years ago at Trinity in Santa Barbara, so I was not entirely boycotting the Catholic goings-on.  I also had a chance to meet again with two people with whom I worked at St. Mark's a few years ago – Fr. Joe Scott, and dear Shannon (who drove up from San Juan Capistrano just to have coffee with me).  I also had fun with my sister, and it was good to spend time with her and with my brother.

But it was wonderful to come home; we flew through stormy skies on the way to San Jose airport, but as we were landing I saw a gorgeous full-arc rainbow over the runway, welcoming me back.  

It's been rainy and cool since my return, as winters are here in the wooded hills; and I've had time to settle into my dear cottage again, catch up with John, and get back into a routine.  

We have a week and a half of quiet, now, before the influx of Spring visitors.  Then on March 15, it begins:  Teri, Tris and Al will be in Boulder Creek for three days, before driving down to Santa Barbara to visit there.  On March 23, the Lamberts Three arrive for a week's stay.  During the days just before Easter, we will be visitors ourselves, in Santa Barbara – we'll attend the Holy Week services on Thursday through Saturday at our beloved Trinity parish, and have Easter with my siblings; and will have a chance on Easter Monday to see Julie's gang and greet the Londoners at the Rincon Beach cottage – before returning to our home.  At the end of that post-Easter week, the Londoners come to Boulder Creek for four days!  So beginning in mid-March, our quiet time will be over for a while.

Today has been a kaleidoscope of storm and sun; at one point I gazed out the little window by my desk in the "Sanctuary" room and saw huge raindrops glittering like diamonds as the sun illumined the branches of the evergreens and highlighted the pale-pink blossoms on our flowering plum tree.  We are surrounded by beauty, and ever grateful.