Evolving friendships- 1 year later

As July 2020 comes to an end, I get to reflect on what traveling semi-permanently means to my friendships.  

As mentioned in previous blogs, I've had moments, often, where I missed my friends back in Colorado.

The longer we traveled the more I felt a disconnect from the people I had left behind. 

10 days ago I got to hop on a Frontier flight back home. Well I should say "my former home". Colorado Springs. My kids and beautiful grandbaby got to spend valuable time together. Reconnecting and bonding over stories and simply just being in the same room.  Togetherness.

I hadn't seen my grandbaby since he was born, 8 months ago. Holding him, endless kisses were long overdue and addictive:

https://youtu.be/4V4VyNTq9aM

Tabea and Julian, my awesome kids, that have always had a close bond. Watching them together aways means, lots of fun and laughter.  The afternoon where Tabea groomed Julian's uni-brow was priceless: 

https://youtu.be/AJ3G9HnWZXc

Before my arrival I often wondered if I would be able to see old friends and acquaintances. Would they still be interested in seeing me, a year after I left? Would COVID be in the way of meeting? 

To my surprise some people that I was totally not expecting to see (if - ever again) made an effort to slow down their busy schedule just enough to spend a few hours with me. Time kinda stood still for those few hours. We'd talk about things as if no time had passed since we last saw each other. 

Every day was filled with with laughter, stories and good food.

At Connie's I turned into the "rock washing lady". A beautiful assortment of rocks, collected all over the US, needed cleaning. So I volunteered!

At Kate's I got to see the newly finished party cellar, full of her beloved glitter after munching on some German cookies. It was in this cellar that Joe and I unvoluntarily got chosen to karaoke a long time ago. A story about Kate's 20 year old cat, that gets baths and his teeth brushed on a regular basis. How cool is that!?

At Robin's The windmill that she inherited from us turned into a beautiful vocal point in her backyard.

At Heide's I learned how to play "golf ", no not the one played on a golf course, but the card game. Along with Taylor Swift songs blasting and a bunch of 20 year olds singing enthusiastically to the lyrics.

Enjoying a delicious dinner downtown, across from where we used to dance, at an awesome taco eatery with Catherine. Sitting outside watching people go by made us forget for a bit that we are still in the midst of COVID.

My trip closed the void that I often felt in the past year. The reunion with my friends left me with a deep appreciation of the people in my life that stepped forward with their loving and caring friendship, that no matter how many miles are between us, will go on.

Here's a big hug to all of you...:

My babies Tabea, Julian & cutest baby ever, Finley,.
My friends Heide & family, Robin, Connie, Kate, Renate & Cloud, Catherine, Zoanna, Kim and Sabine. My former neighbors Pat and Paul, Ginger, Harold & Joan and Paul.

An extra big hug to the people I unfortunately didn't get to see thanks to COVID: My beloved friend Helen, Deirdre and Jerry.