Home.

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Home. Somehow I'm still amazed and disbelieving that I'm here. Even almost a week into being back, it's still emotional for me. I have missed Haldimand and Toronto so much. I have missed people so much. And it's so good to be back here.

But I miss the ship, the people, the sense of every day being a grand adventure. I hope to hold onto that, make every day an adventure no matter where I am. Embrace each day. Challenge myself.

Since coming home, I've spent lots of time journalling, blogging, trying to reflect and get the closure I didn't feel that I got with my sudden departure from the ship. The rest of my time, I've been visiting family and friends. Really really wonderful to be with everyone again.

Last night I too the Go-Train into Toronto. Getting out of the subway at Bloor & Ossington and walking towards Laura & Glenn's, that's when it hit me, that I'm really back in Toronto.

This morning I had a meeting at the Keating office. It was so strange and so wonderful to be back. I am delighted to be back, to see the great people there, to begin working again, doing something I believe in. Today's meeting was basic, average and yet there was a constant underlying sense of care, commitment and passion for what we're all doing. We have a purpose. Our work is meaningful. And I am thrilled to be a part of that. It's strange though to see so many faces I don't know, to feel out of the loop. I've been so involved with Keating Tours for so long, it feels bizarre to be outside of things. But people seemed delighted to see me. Everyone hugging me, saying how good it is to have me back. Chris Keating is already teasing me. Everyone commenting on how great I look, how tanned I am, how I look like I've just come from the islands. Already I'm asked what's next. Chris Keating commented that you can see that I'm filled with stories of everything I've experienced. He said just looking at my face is interesting; you can see there's so much there.

I'm glad it shows. Because I certainly feel that way.

I feel overwhelmed and blessed by all the love I'm receiving from people. I'm so happy to have seen everyone I have - and there are so many more still! Next week I'm already off on tour with Keating to Quebec City. I cannot wait to walk along the cobblestone streets, to stroll the Dufferin Terrace, to drive along the Beaupre Coast, to play on the Plains of Abraham, to sing and drink at Chez Son Pere . . . and to spread my love and wonderment to a bus load of students. It will be nothing but joy.

Right now, I am so happy. I am in Toronto which is alive and bustling and green and busy with people loving a Saturday in June in the city. I'm in Nathan Phillips Square where there are musicians playing on a stage in front of city hall. Seagulls are flying behind me. The streetcars are screeching past and the clock tower on old city hall is singing. I'm soaking my feel in the fountain - which I'm sure many people would exclaim about how dirty the water likely is. Directly over my ead is one of the square's friendship arches.

And I am grateful.

To have had all of the experiences that ship life gaive me. To have met and shared and loved the amazing people I met on the ship. To have had all that and to have come back to all of this.

How lucky am I.

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Photos

Nathan Philips Square
a friendship arch and city hall

Comments

[swills82]

I will be sharing in these feelings very soon. It's been tough these last few weeks. I'm off to Guatemala by myself on Tuesday. Should be an adventure.