December 2, 2001 …on a plane from London back to Houston, Christmas music playing on the in-flight entertainment system. My thoughts freeze up. I try to reflect on the past 3 months, the work, meeting new people, discovering new words, roads, city secrets; late nights and skipped nights (both by being present and by being absent). Zed not Zee and usually replaced by an eS; knackered, pissed, dodgy, mate, cheers. Palaces, a prince and lots of queens (royal and otherwise). London's a big city for those of you who haven't yet visited. Over 25 million people in an area half the size of Houston.

I was lucky to meet a few special souls that spirited me along this journey and wrestled the difficult parts away from me through subtlety and aplomb; I doubt they understood their value and I wish I could have had the facility to convey to them what their camaraderie has meant. Brendan said farewell a couple of times and I was so pleased to spend most of my last few hours in London with him. His gift of a book on Churchill will go a long way to aiding my memory of what will surely be one of the most remarkable times of my life. And Brendan watched it all. He and I met the second day I was in London and I'm fortunate that we were able to stay in touch over the 3 months I was there. Not 8 hours out of London and I already want to plan my next visit with him.

Tony and a new friend joined Brendan and I for the evening. I couldn't have planned a more special group to sit and chat with as I passed time waiting for my departure. I think I could've sat and had coffee with them for at least another week. Tony'll stick around - he's got that kinda personality that reminds you of glue. He believes in forever and he's passionate about what he wants in his life. His has been a struggle not unlike my own. Many things have changed for him since his childhood and he holds true to the values he was taught despite bad things that he's had to endure. He's a survivor and thrives in his skin. We'd all be lucky to make friends with someone of his character. I'll remember him whenever a circus comes 'round. For my leaving he presented me with a most wonderful precision writing pen. He really shouldn't have - but I'll cherish it for quite some time (if I'm not too nervous to take it with me to the office).

My thoughts shift to what awaits for me back in Texas when I land in about 2 hours. Weather? Hot? Cold? (MUGGY?) ….will I feel that same tightening around my chest that I felt after realizing my Boston trips were coming to an end last year? It seems that every time I'm away from Houston my return does nothing less than remind me how very much I don't want to be there. I think it's a shame I waited until my 40th year to begin seeing this beautiful world. Then again - better late than never. [Hanes says I should consider moving toward the Boston area! - He has some secret <wink> plan I'm pretty sure; but he doesn't know exactly how appealing that has been for me for quite some time.]

Missi says she'll write later - I sent her a quick message last week. Maybe she's decided it's too difficult to be friends over such a long distance; sometimes I think that's the excuse John uses. Dave told me he's afraid he'll fall into that trap as well (he says he's not so good at 'keeping in touch'). But what exactly is required to keep-in-touch? Do you need to call every day/ week/ month? Twice a year; Christmas and Birthday. Do you need to arrange to give up valuable holiday time and spend money on a trip (either going there or bringing them here)? I don't think so. It's expensive; emotionally and financially expensive to stay in touch with people we care for. International/ long distance calls, fancy cards, stamps, minutes of typing email/ handwriting a letter. Finding the time (it takes such a long time after all doesn't it?), arranging for the stationary and stamps (can't write on the back of that receipt from the grocery while you're on the way home, just 'cuz it was RIGHT THEN that you were thinking about them). Can't just pick up the phone and call without having ANY idea what you'll say if they answer (or hoping that they don't so you can leave a little and quick and cheap message that maybe, just maybe, will brighten their day to let them know that you were thinking about 'em.) Couldn't possibly just do something about it when they pop into your head - sometimes it's easier to think it needs to be done "properly" and "just right". We want to look as though we've spent TIME on them, THOUGHT about what we wanted to say, spent some EFFORT or MONEY on the gift.

So many times, it really is just the thought that counts. I like getting 30-second calls, messages written on scraps of paper, emails outta the blue, and surprises any time of the day (or even the middle of the night). I hope you get these things from me. I try.

Houston will start yet another chapter of this book. The mystery of my adjustment and method of coping (this time) has yet to come to me, but I'm sure it will. Just watch me go………

….we're landing!!!

Last Updated: 12/17/01

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