Earlier this month, I made my first trip home since I moved out here. Although the week flew, it was a fantastic one. I tried to make it full of family and friends and dogs. I did. I got to see all my siblings (which almost didn't happen). The first night home, Meeka and Eddie didn't leave my side. Eddie snuggled up with me that first night (and pretty much whenever I was in Uxbridge for the night). I didn't make it to the Cape, but I will next time. Sometimes, a week is too short. It was. I knew that it would be, but that's life. You make the most of the time you have with the people who are around you.
Here's a breakdown of my week home:
Tuesday night: I flew into Boston. I met my dad and stepmom at the airport. Sam surprised me there with her friend. From there, we went to Newton, had some grilled cheese. Then we were on our way to Uxbridge, made a detour to Margaritas and obviously margaritas were had. Then we made it to Uxbridge around 12:30 (midnight). We surprised my mom (I was supposed to stay in Newton that night). The dogs were ecstatic. Andrew got home, and we made quesadillas.
Wednesday: I woke up and went to my physical appointment. I met Sam and Hanne at Little Coffee Bean for breakfast and coffee. After we went to Wright's dairy farm with Ashley. Then I had the joy of a dentist appointment. Afterwards, we went to Dairy Queen and had lunch. Off to Wrentham we went for a little shopping where a superbowl shirt was finally purchased. From Wrentham, we went to pick up my Grandmother. Back to Milford we went for dinner where Jeffrey met us at our dad's. Being together again was a great feeling. From there, we ended up at Dairy Queen again to meet up with Mom before I went to Grannie's for the night. Once at Grannie's, it was just the two of us. We caught up over Pimm's.
Thursday: Grannie's birthday! We went out to lunch. We came back and had some more Pimm's with my Uncle and his work buddies who were painting. It was a nice afternoon. Back on the road again, I went to Olive Garden with Ashley, Kim, and Missy. It was just like old times. Back to Uxbridge I went. and a trip to walmart with Ashley and Andrew.
Friday: I hung around Uxbridge during the day and did a couple errands and grabbed Little Coffee Bean. I drove by the high school. Not much had changed other than bleachers added to the football field and track. Then I went home and got ready to go to Boston. I spent the night in Boston with Sarah and her friends for her birthday. We went to the bar at the liberty hotel. Then we made nachos when we got back (always a great drunk food).
Saturday: From Boston, I drove to Lowell to meet up with Kim to go wedding dress shopping. She found a dress. I'll leave it at that. No spoilers.
From Kim's, I went back to Uxbridge. This was also the day of stopping at four different Dunkins (also the only day I went). I headed to Franklin with my brothers and Ashley to celebrate Grannie's birthday. In Franklin, we met up with Dad and Ann-Marie and Grannie, Auntie Caryl, Uncle Mike, Uncle Rick, Aunt Karyn and Kylie and Thomas. It was a beautiful night out. More Pimm's were had, as well as some Indian food. We went out and saw the sunset.
Then the goodbyes started again.
Back to Uxbridge we went.
Sunday: Mother's Day! We went out to breakfast with Mom and Uncle David to Bert's. From there, a trip to Little Coffee Bean. In the afternoon, after naps, we went to see Avengers and had some Red Robin. Later that night, we made eggplant parm and pa's chicken. Then we played some skip-bo.
Monday: Little Coffee Bean.We had Papa Gino's for lunch (obviously had to get a buffalo chicken salad and cheesy breadsticks). Later we made buffalo chicken for dinner. I started packing. At night, we played Gin Rummy.
Tuesday: We went to Bert's with Ashley and Missy. I went to Little Coffee Bean and got my free coffee. Andrew bought us lunch. I said goodbye to the dogs. Off to Worcester we went where I said bye to Mom. Then we met up with Dad. We got new phones. Then Dad took me to the airport where we ate before I left. Just like that, a week had gone. We were right where we were 10 months before: me leaving, going through security, and trying to hold back tears. Then I made it back to Los Angeles.
Leaving wasn't easy. I wish the trip was a little longer, but the leaving would have been the same. No matter how long I am home, leaving will always be hard, especially when you don't know when you'll be back. Coming out here, I knew that my life would become a series of goodbyes. I also knew, I didn't want to stay in Massachusetts. I wish the coasts were closer, but they aren't. At least this time when I left, I had a life I was coming back to. this time, I knew people and had a job, an apartment, and a car. Going home is hard, and accepting that I won't see family for a while is harder. I came across a saying once (I don't remember who said it or where I saw it), it goes along the lines of "Sometimes a little of something is worse than none of something." It makes sense. Seeing family for a short time is harder than not seeing them if that makes any sense. But it's worth it being harder. I'd rather see someone for a short period of time than none at all.
Thank you for great week home. I'll see when I see you.
