La vida es una sola...: Christmas in Michigan

Even though we are well into the month of January, I cannot stop thinking about my first Christmas at home in Michigan in two years. It was the first time in, I think, in three or even four years that my whole family was together. It was well worth the very long journey that it takes to get there from my home in Doha. It now seems like ages ago and a whirlwind of a visit, but thankfully I have many wonderful memories and pictures to help remind me of what a special time of year it can be when you are surrounded by those whom you love and love you in return.

I would have to say this has been one of the hardest transitions back from any break that I have ever had. I did happen to cry my eyes out one Christmas in Honduras because I wanted to be home, but could not make the trip. I would have to say that the person that is always the hardest to leave is my mom. She is the person who keeps me strong. She is my rock and my best friend and I told her that if she cried when I left I would not be going back anymore. Of course that was just me trying to be tough and as I sit here typing this, there are many tears falling down my face. This past week, I have questioned my decision to live overseas more than ever. In the back of my mind, I know that I will continue to live overseas because I do truly love this life. We could just say that I am a nomad. Nevertheless, it is ever so hard to go back to what is comfortable and see how I am so far away from the lives of those I hold so dear to my heart. Times just passes so quickly and sometimes I feel very left out. I know that life is not a never ending vacation and that all of the people I saw over my break, just like me, had to go back to work and the routine of everyday life. It is not realistic to think that if I happened to move back everyone would be able to be together all of the time. I even know that I would tire of having to be around everyone all the time as solitude can be a dear friend of mine. It would be a lie to say that I do not immensely enjoy being alone most of the time. All the same, I seem to be in a lull that I am finding hard to break in this new year. I do know that this too shall pass as long as I am patient with myself...

In the mean time, I have my wonderful students who remind me to take pleasure in the small moments of each day. I also have my running, my solitude, my music, and my pictures to help keep me at peace and remind me of what is home...