Time To Go Home - In Flight Reflections

Bummer as I will miss this weather and just hangin out, as well as my new online to irl (in-real-life) friends.

But, it's time to go.

214p

Riding above the clouds, I look out the window and see all the land spread before me. Cities and country, water and land, knowing there are people going about their daily lives below as I fly above them. I can't help but wonder about some of them. The older couple seated next to me seem very close, affectionate even. Talking and touching each other, as if they were youngsters. Him showing his concern for her, offering her her favourite travel pillow, reassuring her about the flight, and then even sharing one glass of water and their snack, or even his teasing a little and tickling her knees. There is also something not right about her - maybe pre-alz or? she shakes like parkinsons too, and he has to brace her when she stands and help her walk- yet he is there for her - helping her as he should - patient and kind - as you helped me to understand your world, and as you and your sister help your mom, as your dad should - as couples/people should be - very sweet even though they've spent years together.

I felt that again this past week - having someone, even briefly, to be close with, to laugh and play, and be silly with. Talking and sharing, comforting and touching. Making love, having my knees tickled, or my hair stroked. I had missed that all so very much. All the other little things as well - like the relaxed breathing of someone sleeping next to you, and the warmth and contours of their body before sleep, or when waking up. Casual touching or hugs throughout the day in passing, sitting close with an arm around me watching a movie late at night, giggling at the dialogue like teenagers. Taking long drives and talking about anything and everything. Sharing sunsets.

I figure he is already almost home to Sebring, and most likely heading to his mom's, or home to rest. I am sure I took some tole on him, interrupting his 'routine' - his norm. Yet in some ways, I know it was as good for him as it was for me to have the temporary companionship. Someone to talk to, hang with, snuggle with and hug on a regular basis. I know that those basic things are missed by the both of us. Hopefully the time spent will carry us through until we meet someone else, or perhaps meet again.

I have to say that it was very comfortable to be around him - for me anyway - we just clicked, as we have since we'd started to talk online. No putting on airs, no pretending, just hanging out, teasing and talking, being ourselves - with all that that entailed. Accepting one another at face value, all faults and flaws disregarded. It was very easy for me, probably not so much for him as his life is full of turmoil, but I was just rolling with whatever each day brought. It was good to get away, and relax, and have someone to be there to do that with who for the most part, was so open and affectionate.

Sitting here reflecting on it all, I can't help but think that I hope it's not as long as it had been in the past until I have that with someone again, and I wish that for him as well. I also wish we didn't live so far apart as he would be a good friend to just hang with, and share that close comfortable feeling when either of us was in need of companionship.

Another bonus was that I got to meet his sister, and she is a very admirable woman for so many reasons, one of which is being so patient and understanding of Kevin. They have a very close relationship, and are very lucky in that way, even living next door to each other, and helping each other out all the time. They make a great team in the task of taking care of their mother. I often wish my family, and brothers were as close in proximity.

I am grateful to Kim for her helping to encourage Kevin to be more open to our meeting, and for the help and trouble she went to to facilitate that, as well as to give us more time on my last night there and today so he could drive me to the airport to be able to say goodbye. Kim, you don't know how much that meant, or how much those extra hugs as we parted meant and will have to carry us both through for some time to come. Thank you. Big hugs to you as well.

I know my children are below as well, carrying on with their daily routines - school and work, and I miss them too. Not seeing them as often as when they were younger leaves a void. I miss their unconditional love, and hugs, needing my help or just to talk. They get that from others now, friends mainly. Thankfully, we still connect and share hugs whenever possible, and I can't wait to get some when I land later on, as they will help to quell this little bit of ache I feel at leaving Kevin today after having this past week of closeness. I will miss him and more so, his arms around me. Thank you Kevin. Warmest hugs always to you, Kev-man.

10p

The flight went well.

I sent texts to my friends to let them know and to thank them for their hospitality.

Kim replied, which was really nice.

Rach came to pick me up, and even though we arrived a little early, we had to wait quite sometime for the baggage to come down - but mine was the third bag, and we were on our way. If I hurried, I could make it to volleyball. When we pulled up to my backyard I couldn't believe how many leaves had fallen from my big tree (always the last to go) - this really made me miss Florida's weather all the more and bring home to me that winter is coming - that and the difference in temperature - it had gotten cooler again while I was away.

After arriving home, I changed into my VB gear, and then headed up to Proctor for an evening of volleyball. I needed to go. There was also to be a get together of Census people at Clyde Iron, but sitting and talking right after this week that I had was out of the question - I needed to be on the court, to 'do' something for me, and for my body after sitting all day, and just to take my mind off things, and see other friends.

I was so glad I went. I got there about 7:15p - mid game, but jumped on a team and right off ended up serving a huge come-back streak of serves (Score was 22-13, and I made it from 14 to 22, then we lost 25-23) - but I was on! The rest of the night was win some, lose some, but I felt good and played well. I needed that and to get back into my Tues mode.

Afterward, I had to run to Neill's as he had called right when I got in the door and wanted some stuff made up for the Senior Expo in the morning, and then I hit the liquor store for some wine. (funny - Corona was on sale so I picked up a 12 of that too - and smiled thinking about Kev and I at the beach in 'our' Corona commerical photo, and the times we drank that beer while I was there. I had also asked the owner who was working about Yuengling beer after looking on the shelves in the beer cave for it, and he reiterated Kev's statement about it not being available - only in certain places - and that there was absolutely none anywhere in MN, but that many people always asked for it. I was just curious, it was a good beer, but not so much my type, although if available, I'd perhaps purchase some sometime just for old-time sake of the memory of sharing some with Kev - ah well, maybe one day elsewhere, or if I return to FL.) Really, I just wanted to be able to have a glass or two of wine to relax and reflect, and to go with my pizza dinner (mmm garlic chicken), while I sorted my one online post due by midnight.

Upon returning home and firing up the laptop, I noticed my friend Kevin was online in Skype and sent a hello, asking how his ride back was, and if he ended up getting some rest, or going to his mom's as he mentioned he might need to do. I didn't get a reply **until the next morning - he had fallen asleep waiting for me to come online, but while I was still at volleyball. Long day for both of us.

Anyway, I got all my stuff done, while the news, Letterman, and Ferguson played in the background. Letterman was a repeat - but he had on Johnny Knoxville from Jackass 3D - and I looked on the site and it listed as though it was a new show, but he had a Twins joke in the opening monologue, and the Gorillaz were on as well - something I had seen before I left on my trip. I sent a Jackass 3D interview I found in my search to Kev as he loves them too. I wanted to find the Letterman link and send that as well, but no go - again, perhaps tomorrow it will show up on that site. We had talked about going to the movie for Monday evening, but Monday came with it's own dramas when he realised he had a huge homework project due, so all plans to go out had changed to just grabbing take-away and him working with his sister to get the assignment done - well her mainly working on it for him. I just sorted my new course and grabbed this week's assignments while he sorted himself, but I digress.

All in all it was a bit of a long day, but for the most part good, and a little bittersweet. It was time to go home, and I knew I'd miss Kevin some, and yet be seeing Rach and getting back into my 'routine' as much as I wanted it all to last just a bit longer.

But, that's how it goes - vacation is always over too fast and we find ourselves right back into the thick of things at home, catching up from the time off, and sorting our lives as we know them.

Time for bed.

¡Abrazos!

*pics later* and there are many from the planes in flight.