I'm feeling a bit homesick these days...homesick for the family we left behind on the mainland, in both California and Oregon. As much as I love it here, it's hard, being away from family. Some days are harder than others; birthdays, anniversaries and the holidays are especially difficult, but it's the random days in between that make me miss living in San Francisco and within minutes of my family.
We don't get back to visit as often as I'd like, but we've learned to accept and appreciate our once-a-year visits...and it always helps that our families come to see us throughout the year. I have convinced myself that our families fly out here to see the fabulousness that is Phil and I, but deep down, I think it's also because duh, we live on Maui. But I'm totally ok with that.
Sundays are big days for me; I've had a long-standing Skype date with my parents every Sunday at exactly 4:30pm Hawaii Time. Our conversations last no less than 90 minutes, and I may or may not be shouting excitedly at the laptop while Phil will often throw glances in my direction that say: "indoor voices, please." I can't help it. I get loud when I'm happy and excited. :) Most Sundays, I also get a chance to see my niece and nephew via Skype, because my brother and sister-in-law are there visiting and my parents still have "Family Night Dinners" on Sundays (I know. How awesome is that?). So in a roundabout way, it's like I'm there having dinner with them.
Yesterday's phone date with my parents was no different; I yelled told them about our weekend, what we've been up to, what we were having for dinner...anything and everything of little to no importance. We joked, we laughed, and towards the end of our conversation, my Momma cried over missing us. :( Distance is hard. But I would be remiss if I did not admit that technology--as much as I resist it--is pretty darn amazing.
I'm looking forward to these summer months, when we will have time to bond with family. Next month, Phil's brothers and sisters (all FIVE of them!) are coming to visit us and then in August, we're Goin' back to Cali, Cali, Cali for a quick trip to attend my little brother's wedding. I'm so excited.
So, yeah. I'm homesick, but we've got a lot to look forward to in the coming months.
On a more random note, God's love has been pouring forth and shining extra bright on us these days. We've had some pretty amazing sunsets; sunsets that make the sky appear as though it's on fire, and enough to make you pull over on the side of the road to snap a photo and document the moment, because if you don't, it's as if it that sunset didn't happen. And that's a crime, in my book.
This was Saturday's sunset. We were on our way to dinner and I couldn't resist this photo op. And I'll have you know that as much as a fan I am for editing photos, this particular photo is straight off the camera. No editing necessary. Well ok, except for the watermark.
And for anyone interested, that night at dinner, I ate my weight in food. Enough so that I could not resist tweeting:
And while on the topic of Twitter...'follow me?
Oh sad! It is hard living far away from family - although it can be annoying living close too! Lol. Most of my family lives w/in 1/2 hour of me and sometimes it's a little bit too much together time! My sister lives in California though, so I do video chat w/ her once a week - it really does make it seem ALMOST like we live close, but not quite good enough. I miss her!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that's hard. Chris and I have often talked about making a move to Alaska, but it just seems so far from my family. Kudos to you for being able to keep family a priority even though you are far away. Oh yeah... Skype is amazing and that sunset is even more amazing!
ReplyDeleteI miss those sunsets!
ReplyDeleteI know how it is missing family. It amazes me every single day how much technology has improved. So neat skyping or getting a call from another country like it's nothing. We sure are blessed with the ability to see or talk with family at the click of the mouse.
Angie, have fun in California when you're there! After the day I've had, please let me come to Maui and retire!! These grown-up children are making me old!! I'll miss them horribly, but we'll be on Maui! Your sunset photo was beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that after reading this I'm homesick!! I'm going to be going home though to visit my family in Vancouver in August! If it wasn't for my weekly calls I'd be missing them all the more.
ReplyDeleteAh, I guess that this is really hard! Hooray to Skype and the internet - at least it takes away the distance a little bit! :(
ReplyDeleteBut gosh, the sunrises are nothing short of amazing.
Hope your week is a good one. Haven't talked to you in a while - hope you're doing good?
Lots of love. XO.
I only live 40 minutes away from my family and I get homesick during certain times of the day. Like in the morning, I wish my mom was there to wake me up with her smiling face like she always used to. Or around 6:30 pm, when my Dad usually gets home from work. Thank goodness for Skype. You have adorable parents :)
ReplyDeleteTechnoology amazes me... imagine having to write letters by hand and wait for them to be received, a reply written and returned?? I just can't imagine!! Texting, phone, email, skype, facebook.. its like we're all together even when we arent.
ReplyDeleteThis makes me so sad because I know someday soon I will be in your shoes and I cant stand to think of it! I am so thankful for modern technology like Skype, though, that ease the feeling of being homesick!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me sad for you, to be so homesick! :(
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice that you can keep in touch via Skype though! How fun. Sounds like you have some fun family visits coming up. Enjoy it all!
Skype helps doesn't it? It seems to bridge the gap and make the distance fade away...just a little bit. I am in Texas and my parents are in Oregon. We've managed to stay close over the years using all types of communication means but being face-to-face is best!
ReplyDeleteIt is so wonderful that you are excited to talk with your family though. Many people live close to family but don't appreciate what they have...or don't care that much. Being a mom I can tell you that your mom must treasure those chats too!!
I am constantly homesick and I love things like Facetime and Skype that allow me to stay close to my family. I love that you get loud when you're excited too-I'm always telling people I have trouble controlling the sound of my voice when I'm happy or excited. Haha. Kindred spirits we are!
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