Time Travel

Two weeks ago, I went back east for my Mom's birthday and my college reunion.  I flew through the sky and landed in my past.

One of my very favorite high school friends, Chris, found this blog recently.  It was a virtual reunion, after 20 some years.  One evening during my visit he met me at my sister's house.  We all talked til the stars blazed into midnight.  It was the talk of real friends... not just reminiscence, but also new conversations to build the connection into the future.

I found another long lost dear one at the college by the river's edge.  Once we had made a life together, but sorrow proved more than my young self could bear.  I left our good life behind.  Twenty four years later, we strolled the beach, closing the open-ended circle.  We sat with our spouses under the trees, washed by sweet music and wine.  A new chapter began.

The best of friends wined and dined me.  They opened their home to Gary and Mom so we could have a 3 day housesitting vacation in their waterfront home.  I sat on the pier, watching ospreys, swans and herons.  I read The DaVinci Code in one huge enthralled gulp.  Water lapping at the shore hypnotized me into napping daily.

During the days among my family members, we rode the waves of loves and friendships and choices and creativity.  We honored Mom with heartfelt testiments to her accomplishments. The kids brought huge smiles to her face and shining eyes.  We sat in the back yard, eating lasagna and watching a pool full of splashing children.  We were the adults, they were the kids, Mom alone was the grandmother.  The wheel of generations turned.  My camera caught it all.

It was so hard to leave all the kids. Nieces and nephews had filled my days.  The prospect of leaving them behind again was wrenching.  Leaving the coastal water was hard.  But when I sat on my sunny Colorado porch the next morning, I knew I was home.

© Copyright 2006 bonnie willow. Last update: 8/23/2006; 10:05:35 PM.