Going Home and Back Again

How that phrase can invoke such thoughts, memories and feeling.  For some time I had this craving, this desire to go home.  To me, home meant Colorado… the mountains… the piercing blue sky... the aspen trees and of course my family and friends.  When Paul mentioned that he had a business convention taking place in Denver the third week of September and asked if I’d like to tag along and then take the time to go visit everyone, I was thrilled with excitement. 

Home.  

Colorado.  

September. 

Those three things may not mean much to you, but they mean everything to any Coloradan.  While here in Texas everything is still green in September (if it hasn’t died off from the usual summer drought) in Colorado foliage is in full color, celebrating the passing of summer into winter.  What’s more is even if we do have pretty fall color here in Texas, in my opinion, nothing compares to the gold of the Aspens. 

The third week of September is known as the color week - when the changing of colors is in its prime and it’s nearly celebrated as much as the Denver Broncos.  It supplies the perfect weather for picnics, taking family pictures, hiking and driving through the mountains.  Standing below the aspens, with their gold leaves brightly shining against the vividly blue backdrop sky… the mountain lake mirroring their reflection… a faint wind rustling through the leaves causing them to gently fall to the now already carpeted earth; is there anything better?  Even the air has an indescribable aroma that when it fills your lungs you have to stop to take it all in.  Or is that just the high altitude?  Either way, Heaven has got to have the autumn season… because this is perfection.

I was definitely excited when Paul invited me to tag along…  

Home.  Colorado.  September.

After spending the first night in Denver, I left early the next morning in anticipation of everything I was about to see, the fall colors while driving over the mountain passes and my sister’s family.  I amazed myself at how excited I became over the silliest things.  It had been so long since I’d been back, I’d forgotten some of the little towns and I found myself clapping when I saw the sign for Dotsero – one of the most non-descript towns in the state.  Nevertheless, I was thrilled.  Seeing it meant I was here, I was Home.  I stopped at all my favorite scenic rest-stops from Vail Pass and Glenwood Springs to name a few and then raced on to my sister’s home.  (I won’t mention how fast...)

I had not seen my sister for 5 years, so after arriving I reacquainted myself with my nieces and nephews and met the latest two, which wasn’t hard to do.  I have never met such sweet, loving kids in my life.  They take loving each other to a whole new level.  The following day we went up to the beautiful Grand Mesa, which had the best color I’d seen, took pictures and had a ball.  Their little personalities shined through and I treasure every minute of getting to know them and their individual quirks.  Spending time with my sister is a rare and valuable gift.

My sister Roslyn:  The Walter Family

The next day I woke up to a voicemail from my mother.  Our precious, ferociously loyal, and protective dog Lucy had been hit by a car and killed.  As saddened as I was by losing her, I grieved more for my daughter who I knew would take this harder than anyone else.  Lucy had been given to her when she was 4.  I’m sure we all know someone we consider an animal lover, but there are not many who love them more than Ella.  Even before she could talk she would pretend to be a dog, even if it meant howling in the grocery store…  Regardless, my daughter, my baby, had lost one of her most valuable possessions and I was not there for her.  I was not home.

Lucy

Wait.  I am not home?  I’m in Colorado… isn’t that home?  I no longer cared.  All I wanted was my daughter in my arms, to comfort her and wipe away the spilling tears.  The Aspens no longer seemed so bright, the sky hazed and the mountains lost a little of their majesty.  I knew Ella would be alright.  She had two grandmothers who did everything they could do to help with the situation, but my priority had already shifted.  I wanted to go home. 

Knowing that I still had 4 days till then, I spent the rest of the week visiting friends and am extremely thankful for the opportunity to do so.  I wish the time had been longer, even though my heart was somewhere else.  Saying good-bye to my nieces, my sister Roslyn and best friend Twyla was the hardest; my eyes get misty about it even as I write this.  Words cannot express the emotions and trying to do so would nearly devalue them.   

We made it home in record time.  Ella’s maturity over the situation pleasantly surprised me and made me realize how grown up she has become.  I still took her in my arms, it comforted me.  We talked of how our other dog Bullet was handling the situation; he loved Lucy more than us!   We knew that he would need a playmate soon.  By the next day I had found her.  When I showed the online picture to Ella she noticed the striking resemblance to Lucy, purely unintentional on my part.  I saw her wrestle with her emotions over having another so similar to Lucy and it pierced my heart.  I witnessed her win the battle and let go of the grief and sadness, I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.

Ella and Abby

We picked up Abby that night and immediately realized Abby is in love with Ella, more than any of us.  She cries for her when she leaves for school and even if she’s happy playing with me, I am forgotten as soon as Ella is in sight.  Abby has definitely found her way in our hearts and home.

Lucy is greatly missed but has now found her way to the Hutton Dog Hall of Fame and is now at home playing with the dogs that precede her there. 

Going home is a journey we all take.  Man, it’s good to be home.