Re-ignited

Dreams do come true.

Our trip in September of 2011 was a success. It put a stamp of approval on our longing to move back to California. Plans were set into motion as soon as we returned to Florida and by December 15th 2011 we had bought a truck, packed it up as well as my car, hitched our sailboat on, tied our bikes together, and left with only room for Sparky to sit on the bench seat with Ben. We were off on our journey to leave the southernmost place in the continental United States.

We were welcomed with open arms for the holidays back home in Indiana. We enjoyed much needed family time and reflection. We had just left behind a life of two years in the Florida Keys. I didn't turn back, not even a glance.

It was a wonderful month full of tons of joy. There was also some much needed consolation and warmth within our family at the sudden loss of my amazing Grandfather George who left us so suddenly back in November. His memory feels tangible and it remains hard to fathom his earthly life is not here any longer. The entire family still aches and that is okay. Our grieving seems like stepping stones and we are each on different ones. As the month of December drew to a close we were thankful for the love from our incredible family.

By January, Ben and I were itching to hit the road. We said our last "see ya laters", hugged everyone we loved and set off on yet another cross country road trip. This was unlike any other. We didn't stop often to enjoy the ride. We didn't take the time to try interesting foods or visit town markets. I was in one car and Ben in the other. We drove 9-12 hour days for 5 days straight. We could only go 55 mph with our trailer on the pick up truck and my car loaded down.

On Saturday January 7th, we arrived at our new home miles and miles up Fickle Hill Rd. in Arcata CA. As we drove down our new driveway and the landscape opened itself up to us, we saw the vast California coast line and redwood covered hills. Our eyes can see miles to the South and to the North. We were breathing fresh air filled with scents of pine and grass. Birds were chirping and the sun shone down on us and we smiled.

Our newest chapter had begun. I feel more at home here than I have ever felt in my adult life. We have been welcomed back into this community with solid hugs and warm hearts. God has showered us with blessings that seem countless.

I can recall the feeling of losing myself in Key West and of forgetting what true beauty in life can look and feel like. Here we are able to live simple and fruitful lives where we have the knowledge of having redwood hiking trails in our backyard and knowing that the food on our dinner table was grown 10 miles away on a family farm where they too are thankful for living in a community that appreciates them.

If on earth there is a place that supports its neighbors, finds joy in nature, and respects what joys life can bring, this is the place. I am grateful that our path has led us back to, not our birth home, but our hearts home.