Last Leg

In a few days, we leave for the last leg of our transition back to Seattle. We have been in Laguna Beach for two weeks and it has been yet another opportunity to reflect upon the intense experience that we’ve had over the past 18 months. Reentry takes all kinds of forms and is very individualized, especially for our family. Being Japanese, indiamama really isn’t experiencing any ‘shock’ and while she is able to see things in a very different light, they are not accompanied by some of the same comforts and dislikes that I might feel being back in the US. There is a lot of anxiety that goes into major transitions like this, particularly when they involve being away from ‘home’ for nearly three years. I have to remind myself that I am not only re-entering from India, but from living in Japan as well. It has been such a unique time, the past 2 ½ years, and I have so many great memories of spending time with Kaia. I can remember in the final weeks in Japan, when things were very uncertain and the next steps were very divergent, going with Kaia to one of our favorite places to soak and run around—Epinard onsen. As I ran around with him in the large hallways and soaked in the hot baths, I can remember feeling these deep pangs of joy and loss—typical of what accompanies such departures. It was not just that we would soon be having to leave Japan, but also that this small boy was growing so quickly and these types of experiences would end soon. I have often told people that I first experienced this emotion on the 3^rd or 4^th day after Kaia’s birth—I was so filled with joy, but at the same time it was tempered by grief and loss.

So, the road to our ‘final’ destination starts soon. We will have the chance to see friends and family along the way, which is nice—especially for Kaia. I will submit my final entry to indiapap soon after we get to our new home in Bainbridge Island and I have a chance to reflect on the whole experience. For those of you who have followed along this far, thanks for reading and sending me your encouragement and comments. You too are close to the end of this journey. Thanks for coming along.

Why I Love this Time: Such anxiety disciplines you to breathe and focus on the now….not that that is so easy.