Going Home

I sit waiting in the living room of my new, as yet unpacked, San Diego apartment for the shuttle to Lindbergh field international airport. I moved into my new place some weeks ago, but due to a bad back and a strong propensity to sitting down after work, I am still surrounded by the tag-a-long paraphernalia and boxed memories of an aging hermit king. 

It is Christmas time and I am flying to Salt Lake City, Utah for a holiday reunion with much of my family and a long needed 10 day rest. It has been a Whirlwind year of great stress, bitter economic blight, uncertain stability and these just for the fortunate. I have been one of the fortunate.

Christmas isn't usually too big a deal for me since my boys grew up, not like my secretary who makes our office the So Cal version of Macy's. I don't usually do much but eat badly and watch football, but this year seems special to me. My parents are getting older, my sons have their own lives and fiances are getting tighter for a family so far flung to gather very often.

I have always enjoyed my family but didn't always seem to appreciate them much. I have grown to love these people over time with emotions hard for me to adequately project. It could be partly "absence makes the heart grow fonder" but deeper still it is those early bonds that took root far stronger than I ever expected and a familiarity of life experience based on those roots that allows me a glimpse into there lives, a respectful perception of who they have by necessity become. When their children are hurt or sick or stupid, I feel those moments with them, through memories raising my own. I exalt in there victories as I'm acutely aware how hard those wins are often won. I cannot wait to hold these people in my arms this Christmas and shake the rafters with our joy as once more we gather.

We will be high in the snow packed Utah mountains at a family cabin that at the very least is a Hallmark holiday Christmas location but for me and many of my family rarefied air on holy ground. There is proof there that a God made this world and a peace that pervades there that tells me God walks there often. Winter there is frozen silence. The deep wet snows muffle even deeper what is already monastic quiet. I have been blessed to know this place both summer and winter all my life.

I will miss greatly those family members who are not able to attend this time, but know they are happy spending time with others this year who need them in there lives as much as I need them in mine. To them all and to you who may sometime read this bleary eyed gibberish.

Have A Great Holiday, 

Know Only Prosperity, Realize Greatness.

My taxi is here.

-Hermit King-

Orig Published 12/09

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