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Under a Starry Sky

Thanksgiving week has come and gone. All emotions found their place and presented themselves at the appropriate time as they always do. Excitement and anticipation came early in the week. Enjoyment and connection stretched from end to end. Exhaustion and eagerness to return to familiar routine showed up toward the end along with incongruent regret. Regret that the curtain must come down on seven days of delight and surprises. So predictable are these emotions with their entrances and exits, are they not?

The goodbyes rang out at regular intervals in the last hours of our last night together. So many goodbyes. Farewells made of hugs and tears and laughter... and more tears. The house wren, who marks twelfth hour on the kitchen clock, chirped midnight and the small party of eight laughed at the aviary announcement and then disbanded.

The last goodbyes were the teariest and most heartbreaking...and most beautiful. Three went to bed and five went out into the frosty night under a black velvet sky. Two stood on the porch to wave and three picked their way carefully down icy steps toward icy cars. But on the way, all stopped for a moment to look up in wonder at the constellations. The Pleiades waltzed forward in formation. We shivered and watched and then hurried to heat cold cars and to burrow under warm covers. A majestic ending to a week of reunion and chaos and memories made.

Comments

Faith said…
Sister, your way with words brings such delight!
Melissa said…
Kate, you have such a way of making the ordinary seem extraordinary. I love the glimpses of your life that you give.

Glad you're back, and hope to be hearing more from you soon.
tammi said…
Glad you had a wonderful week! It's true, the emotions are so predictable and dependable. It's funny how a week can feel too long and too short all at the same time -- especially nearing the end. I'm usually so desperate to be queen of the castle again and yet it feels like I haven't spent time with nearly enough of my family members and old friends.
Well said! Our reunion contained the same emotions and tearful good-byes. Reminds me - again - that we are Pilgrims here, longing for the day when our fellowship will be eternal!
Kathy said…
Welcome back! And thanks for sharing your wonderful week.
Anonymous said…
I can't wait until the book comes out! Writing must be so thereputic for you. I know I recieve some therepy when I read your words. It was so sad to say goodbye to the family. The cousins are already missing the southern cousins and are anxiously awaiting a playdate with the western cousins. We can't wait until the next reunion.

Dee
ocean mommy said…
Welcome Back!

Sounds like a wonderful visit.

Can't wait to hear more!

steph.
Alana said…
Goodbyes are so hard sometimes. Thankful, though, that you had a good time.

I love to look and wonder at the vastness of God's universe. It is so awesome.

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