This past weekend I went to visit family. I was extremely excited to visit them, don’t get me wrong, but I didn’t expect to have the feelings I had when I left them. I try not to think about negatives, I know they are there, but I don’t see a reason to focus on them. But in visiting my family (some who I haven’t seen in 3+ years) I experienced extreme emotions that I didn’t think I’d have just yet. I guess because everything is still such an unknown, I find myself worrying about what clothes to pack (which I just read is a common thing to focus on) and not the fact that my whole life as I know it is about to change. But in seeing family, family that I don’t even get to see or talk to often, my emotions turned on me. I really felt the love, and pride in me, yet a huge sense of concern. I can’t explain these feelings outside of the word beauty. It was beautiful for me to share all of these feelings with family who I don’t share as close of bonds with. (My mom’s side of the family is really close, I grew up with my cousins, we’re all strong females and we just grew up really close even though I was younger than everyone I still created such strong bonds with them. So for me to share these feelings with them it’s normal and expected, but I see my dad’s family and step father’s family much less often so I didn’t expect to have such strong reactions when seeing them and saying goodbyes.)
As much as this is a blog for my family and friends to see what’s happening in my life, it is going to be a memory keeper for me, so please forgive me when I get all sappy.
When my cousin Petie walked in with a bouquet of flowers, I didn’t even know what to do. I’m not going to lie, I saw them and was immediately taken aback. I don’t think I’ve ever received flowers from anyone except my parents much less someone who I wouldn’t consider myself very close with. But like father like son, his dad also walked in with a card and I could have cried right then. I know it is silly, flowers and a card. But I can’t stress to you enough how much it meant to me. It’s the little things. My aunts and uncles driving me to the train station, the many laughs and the hugs. They’re what meant more than the awesome gifts I received, but I’m thankful for them all! (I’m also extremely excited to start using the gifts and putting the generous money donations towards saving...for the olympics in Brazil?!!!! maybe!!)
Here’s a brief timeline of the weekend for those wondering!
Friday -train 6:00P-11:30P from Philadelphia to Providence
Saturday -lunch, shopping, downtime, dinner, quality family time in Seekonk Mass, and a train from Providence to Philadelphia from 10:30P-4:30A I only remember sleeping through Connecticut, well most of it anyway.
Sunday -slept on a bench for a hot second in 30th st station with little baby mice friends, bought a muffin, proceeded to throw up the muffin, don’t worry I had a tooth brush, took a train to Marcus Hook 7:45A-8:30A spent time with family, sang karaoke, ate pizza, reminisced, laughed, took a train back to the city 9:00P-9:30P, SLEPT when I got home oh and cried on both trains when I was leaving family. Powerful stuff!
Anyway for now, I’d like to leave you with a reminder of being thankful.
I’m so thankful for ALL of my family, and I’m lucky because I have three parents with three families who all love and support me.
And also a reminder to spend time with family. I am so thankful I had the opportunity to spend time with family before I leave and I wish I would have spent more time with my dad and my step dad’s families growing up.
PS I’ve got about a month left stateside -where is the time going?!
**look to the photos section for pics from this weekend with some of the fam(:
xoxo,
Fran
