Being "Here"

They say that "home is where the heart is," but my heart is a global traveller and can't make up its mind sometimes.  There are so many reasons that I'm thankful to be back home in Canada right now, but there are moments when I think about memories or look back on pictures of Papua New Guinea (like the road often travelled pictured here) and I feel that ache again.  The two places are equally home for me and I sometimes feel stuck in the middle of two worlds. 

If you're a frequenter of my blog you'll have noticed that I haven't had much to say the past few months.  To be honest, I feel like I've lost a bit of my inspiration.  There seemed to be a never ending supply of things to write about in Papua New Guinea - there was always something out of the ordinary going on, or some colorful character giving me a story to write about.  When you're used to barely-clothed men in feathers dancing at your doorstep (the same dancer who took his deceased relative's stained dentures so he didn't have to buy his own pair), it's a bit harder to find exciting things to write about back in North America.  

There are so many things that (granted, although less obviously exciting) make life just as beautiful back here. The vibrant Autumn leaves falling all around you and board games, pj's and lattes with Mom. There are kisses from nieces and notes left on your desk from one saying, "Always love no matter what" that make you want to cry. There are bruises from working with Dad who let's you use his power tools and make mistakes because "that's the way you learn."  

It's easy to mourn what was, and it takes effort sometimes to live in the "now" and be intentionally grateful for the beautiful things that are right in front of you.  I've needed to be reminded of that this week in a big way.  

So thanks for bearing with me as I learn to be "here" and discover my new exciting. $