In a week, I will be traveling to the Mid-West with my partner in love Willie. We will be somewhere in Omaha, St Joseph MO, and Kansas City KS or on the highway in-between for 9 days. Let me say that again...Nine days...NINE days. This is not our first trip back over Christmas. Our first trip back was four years ago and we were gone for about the same amount of time. We had just moved to Los Angeles the previous July and the trip was much needed but also exhausting. The next year we traveled home for Christmas Willie and I were in a solid financial state and we went home for almost 3 weeks. We wanted to make the most of our trip because we weren't going to be back till the following October and with my family in Nebraska and his family in MO and all of our college buddies, we wanted to make sure we were able to spend an ample amount of time with everyone. We came home completely exhausted. Willie and I agreed that it was just too much time. We both love our families and each other’s families very much. However, being that far from your home, your stuff, your habits and the daily day to day became stressful in its self. No matter how comfortable the various beds were, they were not my bed. In addition, I rarely had any time to myself let alone an afternoon when I could do as I pleased, such as picking at my toes and dancing around like a ballerina. That was the year that we realized the importance of home, our home. While Willie and I are not actually married, we are each other's family, each other's comfort & joy. The following year we were financially unable to return to the Midwest, Christmas tickets for the both of us were $1000 or more. Our families were distraught. We had to explain repeatedly that it’s not them it’s us. They could not help but take this personally, tears were shed for weeks! And I feel a little guilty because Willie and I really enjoyed our Christmas together. We did what we wanted to do, when we wanted to. We didn't have to subject ourselves to one of the snowiest Christmases in the Midwest or to the hectic airports and hours of driving in-between families. Again, we realized the joy and comfort that we as a 2-person family provided for each other.
This year we return to the Midwest and so far, this journey has not been without tears being shed. Each family wants each child for the whole nine days. It just isn't possible. While we are trying so hard to spend time with all of our dear family members, I know that we won't be able to please everyone as much as they would like. "But its Christmas" the wavering voice of our mother's comes over the phone. "We love you" is our reply. My hope is that in these blessed family moments we can focus on, take comfort in each other’s company, and have joy in the time that we do share with our families.
This year we return to the Midwest and so far, this journey has not been without tears being shed. Each family wants each child for the whole nine days. It just isn't possible. While we are trying so hard to spend time with all of our dear family members, I know that we won't be able to please everyone as much as they would like. "But its Christmas" the wavering voice of our mother's comes over the phone. "We love you" is our reply. My hope is that in these blessed family moments we can focus on, take comfort in each other’s company, and have joy in the time that we do share with our families.
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