Home

I arrived home Saturday afternoon. Since then I have been unpacking my luggage. I have tried to maintain the routine that kept me sane while at the hospital.

It does feel good to be home, but transitions are tough to make sometimes. Reconfiguring myself to what normal life will look like these next few months is difficult. I have class work to do online, food to cook, paths to walk, but other than that I am alone at home most of the day. This leaves a lot of time to sit and ponder life's deep questions. Too much of that, and too little action and human contact can be abrasive to the soul.

My porthole is healing and my energy is returning.

Rather than walking the halls of the hospital, I have been going for walks in the woods and by the river near my mother's house where I am staying. The powdery snow we have been receiving just sits on the hemlock and cedar trees in the woods. The sun rays through the lake-effect snow clouds make the sky glow. I have decided to take a camera along with me for now on for when I see amazing sights. This morning the sky cleared after dumping several inches of snow overnight. I walked out into the middle of a nearby hayfield and the sunlight glittered across the surface of the snow. The entire field glittered. Diamonds are beautiful for how they glitter in the light, as I learned in the process of picking out an engagement ring last spring. However, the several thousand gallons of water that sat as snow on the field was more beautiful than any diamond. I have seen one of the worlds largest diamonds at the Smithsonian museum in Washington. This morning's experience again proves to me that the greatest joys in life do not necessarily cost a lot of money if any at all.

Speaking of money, I am planning our honeymoon for this summer. We have decided to experience Hawaii for our honeymoon. Katie went to a bridal show on Sunday and just yesterday learned that she won a three day honeymoon all-inclusive package. It doesn't include airfare and there are a few stipulations. We will know tonight if it is the real deal or some kind of shady scheme. After traveling all that way we would want to stay a while for some outdoor adventure, which is what we are all about. I have narrowed down Kauai or the big island of Hawaii for our trip. We would be renting a car, camping, staying at travelers' hostels, and bed and breakfasts. We don't think that we need more than a couple days of resort luxury. We plan on doing a lot of hiking, biking, snorkeling, and fishing.