Home for the Holidays

They say that you can’t go home…but they’re wrong. ……

I just spent Thanksgiving in a city that was part of my life for over 30 years but moved away in 1999.  I still have family who live here which is what keeps me coming back but it still feels like home because of a special group of women.

We were all young mothers together.  We went to PTA meetings, took turns being the Girl Scout leaders, arranged car pools to sleepovers, birthday parties, sports and music events – all of those mom things that occupy your days when you have children who are too young to drive.

We grew close as our kids grew up.  Whenever we could, we would get together and walk a four mile route along one of the prettiest boulevards anywhere.  And of course walking meant talking.  Opinions were strong and varied.  We laughed, cried and supported each other through elementary and middle school years.

I moved 1000 miles away when my children were in middle school.  Although I knew this was the best thing for our family, I was crushed to leave my gal pals behind.  How would I ever get by without our walks, our coffees, our talks?

As it turns out, I didn’t have to.  They came to visit me in my new city and I would come back to see family.  And you know what?  We walked, and talked and drank coffee, just like always.  In between visits, we would have long distance coffee talks and send e-mails.  I was still one of the girls even though I was so far away.

Today our children are grown and we have all become empty nesters.  But when I come back to town, we are still the young mothers who gathered all those years ago as if time and distance hadn't intervened.  We still look fabulous, our opinions are still strong and varied and we still laugh, cry and support each other – just like always.  You can always come home even if you don’t live there anymore.