Home
My grandma died.
I went home for the funeral.
It was so strange to be home. The first hour or so my family kept stealing glances at me, as if they couldn’t really believe I was there. Or maybe as if they expected that I was a different person now, and they were just waiting to see who I would be. But I’m still me. And things quickly settled into normal life.
That was the strange part. That life could be normal after the race.
I guess I came home expecting life to be different. I kind of dreaded going home for the funeral. I expected everyone to be asking for all my stories, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to tell them all. I’m not done. I didn’t want to be the center of attention. That was what I was expecting.
But not what I got.
On the way home from the airport we stopped to eat with more family. And after only a few brief questions we settled into conversation about the things happening in their lives.
It felt like nothing was new. Like I had only been gone for a week.
I fit back so easily into my life. I was home for only a week, but it felt like an eternity. Like life on the race was only a dream. Like I had never actually left home.
I helped plant my parent’s garden. I hosted a bonfire. I went to a bible study. I visited my youth groups. I planned VBS for this summer. I signed up for another mission trip. I was busy.
I think it felt more different going home after a week at Bible Camp than coming home after almost 10 months on the race. I guess I was expecting the camp high. But after 10 months this becomes normal life. After 10 different changes, I have become very adept at slipping into a new life quickly and thoroughly. And when I already know what is expected it becomes 10 times easier.
I love the family God has given me. Both my actual family, and my church family and friends. You guys really know how to take care of me. You really made my time home a blessing. Thank you! While I plan on enjoying every last minute of the last month of my race, know that I am looking forward to the day I get to come home again and take time to share my stories. I love you guys!
