a homestay guide for wanderlust
when your sister says come visit... you don't think twice. you immediately file for a long work leave and pray you still have that job when you come back. because believe me, you would want to come back... 
don't get me wrong, i love spending quality time with the kwitkowski's especially during the holidays. it's probably one of the best memories i have in my life. rewind back 4 years ago when i almost went over the edge, being around such a loving family and drawing all my remaining strength to look out for my then 2.5 year old nephew tyler was the best wake-up call any emotionally challenged individual could have. how can you selfishly think of your own woes or anything else for that matter in the midst of changing diapers, making meals, rocking a baby for his nap, running around in the yard looking for lady bugs and taking care of the laundry?
when i'm faced with problems with work, being single, thoughts about my retirement, my constant search for spirituality and other such trivial matters; my tried and tested course of action~ and re-action has always been to just GO... travel, get lost on my own, land a new job in some foreign developing country, or... to just STOP. this year i opted for the later.we couldn't be any different than you could imagine, melissa and i. i can make a list that would bore the hell out of you. but we get each other. for some strange reason, my sister knows when to call and ask me to visit. she knows that its time to get me to park my suitcase at her door and make me sit still, literally!
in her own quiet, unassuming domesticated bliss i find the remedy for my ailments ~ to be invited and made a part of her happy home keeps wanderlust at bay and makes me feel part of regular people's lives even for a little bit.
to enjoy the hypnotic clicking of zippers as they thrash about in the dryer, to smell the slowly rising cookie dough as it bakes in the oven, to laugh at the hyterics of a 6-year old who doesn't want to loose a game of chutes and ladders, to wait patiently for the 2:30pm school bus to arrive, to listen to country music on the car radio as we drive off for an afternoon at the local mall, to talk to an old feline for company...it's been a great visit so far and when it is over, i will miss it. but i'll also be glad it's over because it means i get to push the re-start button. this trip like the last i took homestaying with the K's has given me another year to look forward to, on my own, yes. but with a renewed spark in my torch that tells me everything will be ok. after this year though, i think i'll try to make it on my own for a while... can't be too keen on spoiling myself within this comfort zone. might not be back for a spell. it's going to be a rough one, but maybe things will be different... it is a new year after all. Tennessee (Dec. 14, 2009 12:17pm)
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