Hi! I’m in Oregon. It’s official. And kinda weird. It feels odd when the realization that you are leaving your home and family hits you. I felt that way halfway between Tukwila and Tacoma today. It was a wild thought and coincided with a rapid heartbeat and labored breathing—almost like a panic attack—when I realized with all certainty that I was leaving my children. Eesh. I should be looking forward some time away from the girls, as I do not get much of that! But, everywhere I looked I saw their faces in on the faces of other children I saw. There was one child in particular, redhead and sitting in front of me from Seattle to Albany, she was a troublemaker—but periodically careened her neck and adjusted her body just to stare at me. Her blank stares made me smile at her, which she eventually returned and then we became “buddies”. It was at this “buddy” moment that I realized I missed my children immensely.
That’s all I have to say about near panic attacks and stuff. I do want to let you all know that I am VERY tired from riding the train today. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that sitting for prolonged periods of time could wear on a person, but I stand corrected today. The last time I was on a train…oh, by the way, I’ve been meaning to correct a previous post which stated this current trip is my first time away by myself—I went by train to New York City when I was a teenager (a 3 day trip!!)…I don’t remember feeling so tired. Maybe it was because I was much more youthful (which really means I was young and didn’t yet know how to recognize exhaustion when my body felt it)? Dunno.
All I do know is that I’m looking forward to slinking into this foreign bed and getting some darn good shut-eye.
Ciao for now!
*sunshine in eugene