My mom is officially gone.  She flew back to the States yesterday morning, and called this morning to let us know that she had arrived home safely (though without luggage).

It’s always hard when my mom leaves, or any visitors, really.  We say all the time that if we didn’t miss our family so much in the States, we could stay in Yorkshire forever.  It’s usually exacerbated by visitors.  When they leave, we remember how much we miss them, but when we haven’t had anyone here in awhile, we sometimes forget.

The few days after my mom leaves area always the hardest.

Today, though, it’s like Fr. Apollo knew just what we needed to hear at church.  We celebrated the mystery of the Holy Trinity today, and he talked a lot about the idea of unity.  Unity of our community, unity of our families, unity of three bodies and one God.  I think I needed this reminder that even though we are separated, we are still united and still a family.  And that this distance between us won’t last forever.

To help cope with mom’s departure, I’ve jumped right back into writing.  I hope to have a few articles ready for Associated Content this week, as well as a few for the Station Break on base.

I’ve also been knitting.  I wanted a relaxing knit, and went right for the sometimes overlooked Forest Canopy Shawl.  The progress has been slow, but it really is turning out beautifully.

Maybe the knitting and writing helps me feel unity, too.  United with the person I am knitting it for.  United with myself.  United with other knitters and writers.

I feel less alone.

I went shopping too, and that always helps!  :)