A few moments have stood out for me in the current phase I call, “transcendental acclimatization”:
1. After dropping a years worth of baggage onto our living room floor and checking out the renters, we were welcomed home by a gaggle of champagne-bearing neighbors. We crossed the street and dined with friends who so thoughtfully served all the things we missed: smoked salmon, cheese, seafood pasta, and chocolate cake with fresh raspberries.
2. As I heard the drop of a package on the front porch, I opened the screen door and yelled “Thanks!” to the backside of an anonymous, brown UPS uniform. He turned around, smiled and said, “Hey, you’re back. Welcome home.”
I recognized him as the same UPS guy who’s had the neighborhood route for years, but had no idea he recognized me or knew we’d been away. “Thanks,” I gushed. “What’s your name?”
“Mohammed,” he replied.
“I’m Diane. It’s good to be home,” I said as he scurried back to the big, brown truck and drove away.
3. Due to an achin’ back, I asked the kids if they would make a run to the nearby Trader Joes for a few groceries in the midst of unpacking. When they returned with two heavy bags and a large bouquet, I was touched one of my very own children had thought to bring me flowers.
“Mom,” Lena said, “These are from the woman at Trader Joes. She asked us if we were doing the shopping for our Mom today and when I told her your back was hurting so we were helping, she told us to go pick out some flowers and she paid for them with her very own money! She told us to tell you she hopes you feel better soon.”
4. I picked up Anders at a friend’s house after a sleepover. As I entered the front door, the younger brother was sitting at the computer.
“Hi Balloch,” I said in a very loud voice, hoping to get his attention. “How are you? How was your year?”
“Oh hi,” he said, looking up from the screen and then down again. “Heeyy,” he said slowly, looking back up at me. “You’ve grown.”
“Really? How exactly?” I said, nervous to hear his out-of-the-mouths-of-babes answer.
“You’re taller!” he said.
