I just got lost in picture land.
It's easy to do, isn't it?
I'm a picture person. Always have been. I like to collect them. Scrapbook them. Frame them. Take them. Enjoy them. And revisit them over, and over, and over again.
Getting lost in my photo archives tonight while looking for a long-lost cookbook photo, I couldn't help but run across some pictures of my family.
Then I ran across this one:
And the ache in my heart to see those ‘ol sisters of mine nearly was too much to handle. Yes, that's me on the computer. It's how we communicate these days. And how I still can be a semi-part of Friday night family dinners, for at least ten minutes.
Being away from them is so difficult. Some days are worse than others. May today was just one of those days.
This past week, my oldest sister has been dealing with the loss of her husband's grandmother. When I messaged her to see how she was doing, she responded that dishes and laundry hadn't been touched in four days – nor was there a time on the horizon when it look like they might. More than anything, I just wanted to sprint to the nearest airport, fly home, and help take care of her family.
I wanted to do those things for her so she wouldn't have to do them while grieving. I wanted so badly to comfort her and show her love in that way.
And I couldn't.
Dangit! DANGIT! Dangit, I say!
These girls are my very best friends.
And they have been for awhile.
Guess which one is me?
Yep, crazy eyes. You got it.
Two weeks from today, I will be home in Washington. I will be attending my first Friday night dinner (in person) in eight months. I have hugged them or squeezed them or had a glass of wine with them IN EIGHT MONTHS, people.
Do you live away from family? Are you much more mature and coping better than I am?
Good. I am glad at least one of us has it together.
Ladies, I love ya and I'll be there soon – don't worry, I'll bring the scrunchie and those killer jean shorts I'm rockin' with me.
I'll leave the wedgie at home.
Heidi
My family is spread all over the country. I know exactly how you feel.
Noel McNeil
I was just wondering when you were leaving. I used to live away from my sissy and it was sooo hard. I know how ya feel. ๐ Lord willing, one day you’ll either learn how to better cope, or who knows, live in the same town again. There’s always hope….
Melinda
I’ve lived across the country from my sisters for the past 10 years. They live close to each other and at times it can be so hard to hear about the things they get to do together. There are days when I so badly just want to meet them for coffee or go shopping together. That’s actually a lifestyle that I’ve never been able to experience with my sisters, but I hope someday I will! We try to stay connected through emails, chatting online, skyping, texts, etc. It’s not the same, but at least we can sort of know what’s going on in each other’s lives.
I’ve also lived 7 hours away from my parents for the past 8 1/2 years. My mom is one of my best friends and it can be so hard at times to be separated. I can’t say that it eventually gets easier to get used to, but rather that you learn to cope. Now I’m off to look for some family pictures and hopefully not cry too much!
Erin
My brothers know when I leave them after a visit home I’m a ball baby. On top of it, Kim writes me sappy love notes that she says I have to read on the plane which then makes me sob in public! We are blessed to live in a day of technology, it makes them not seem so far away ๐
Kendra Homestead-Girl
My sister lives out of state, but she comes home to visit every few months. It’s fun to chat with her every now and then, but we were never really what I would call “friends” growing up. At least we’re closer now that we’re grown. I hope my girls grow up to be good friends as you seem to be with your sisters. My mom lives on the West Coast, I’m on the East Coast, so we’re worlds apart. We’ve flown to see each other six times, I guess, in the last 9 years. I love my mom very much, but frankly, I’m glad to be away from the drama, lol. I’m definitely not a sentimental kind of person, so I cope easily ๐ I hope you have a great trip back home!
Jaimie Ramsey
I’ve been eleven hours away from my family for over three years. Since I got married I see them twice, maybe three times a year. It’s really hard sometimes, especially since I’ve always been close with my siblings, and my mom and I are becoming closer friends the older I get. Some days I wish they were close so I could talk to them in person, cook with my mom, hang out with my sister, and help my dad when he’s working in the garage. But I’ve found that I appreciate all the more the time I do have with my family because it is so rare and precious. We’re not any less close now that my brother and I are both in college and not at home anymore. I am so thankful for the time and experiences I did having growing up. And it’s also healthy for me to be far enough away that I’m “forced” to learn to take care of my own home and focus on the little family that is my husband and me now. Growing up is a good thing. ๐