π

Change happens and I can’t alter that truth. It’s getting cold out now and all I can do is put on a sweater and wait for this season to pass. As we move into autumn, Canada heads into spring. Life continues around us and without us. It doesn’t matter where I am because change is inevitable. I’m not home sick, I just wish for time to stand still while I’m gone. People aren’t allowed to get married, have babies, move away, or grow up while we’re gone. And when we said goodbye to everyone, it was under the impression that we would see each of you again. These last 10 days have been the first time I’ve felt the 12 000+ km that span between us and almost everyone we love, and it’s an isolated, sucky feeling.

We’ve been gone 104 days now and seeing Colin motor through this semester has been a comforting reminder that this time will pass and one day be a distant memory. I’m trying to appreciate it for what it is, because it is truly a once in a lifetime experience, but the joys and sorrows are challenging when you feel like a far away fraction of something bigger and better.

Just before I was born, my mom explained to my brother that a family was like a big love pie and the more people, the more pie to share. We like to tease her about this analogy because my brother was 4 at the time and only saw his slice getting smaller and smaller. I’m from an awesome family, and I married into an awesome family, and I’m basically only a crumb at this point because there’s so many of you, but I’ve never felt so loved. Being away from the rest of the pie is a bittersweet reminder how good it is to reside on the same plate. (Too far?)

E