Having Gotten Away: My Epiphany

Being away. I have been away from home since the middle of December.  It's been almost three weeks since I packed up Miguelito and my things and came to Santa Barbara to housesit for my friends who have gone off to their place on the continent.  Isn't that what they used to say when folks travelled abroad to western Europe?  So I came to the Riviera of the west coast for retreat and recreate.  And now its almost over.

It was an odd time of year to be away from home.  Christmas and New Year's.  But for the past several years I really haven't celebrated that much.  Being single and all, it seemed the holidays happened all around me.  I'd put up a tree, decorate and stuff, but really, it seemed like a lot of hubbub for little return.

So I decide to just go off to myself and ignore the whole thing.  So here I am, at the end of the sojourn.  I've had much time to think, to muse, to ruminate and reflect.  It's been an interesting experience over all.  And I have had a few epiphanies and insights...some which I will share (if you're interested) as the year, and this blog, progresses.  

But in the meantime, I now have to turn my thoughts and muses back to my re-entry into day-to-day life at home.  Home is where the heart is. And my heart is in Riverside I guess.  It was easy to fall into a routine here such as taking George the bulldog our for his daily walk, coming back and then going a bit further with Miguelito.  Going for drives to explore along the coast.  Doing some touristy things like the zoo, the museums, State Street, the beaches, the mission and more.  It's felt oddly "right" to me.  Like I could go on like this for some time.

But alas, I cannot.  Time to get ready to return to "real life".  Sunday, Miguelito and I make the trek back home.  This will seem as if it were a dream of sorts.  Not ideal, but sufficiently pleasant to remind me that each day I can decide what of life's offerings I choose to experience.  And learning that what I yearn to be is just as important as anything that others want me to be.  And learning to say no and yes as appropriate.  

Life is good.  And it is what you make it.  This time away has reminded me of that.  So here's to the new year and a renewal of faith that Auntie Mame had it right when she said, "Life's a banquet.  And most poor suckers are starving to death."  To that I say, let me begin to partake again.

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