Tomorrow I begin The Weary Way. The retracing of my steps. The flights and fatigue that shadow dogs international travel. I love to travel. I even love being lost in airports and alone in crowded planes. But each hurried step I take pushes me further from my family in New Zealand and Australia. Each step I take in my booted stride takes me closer to my American family. Shedding summer and donning winter. Modern life means separation.
And not just me. (Yes that is me). Siblings are separated too. See The Header: (way above and then below) – my daughter and son live in different countries. Two more of my sons live in different countries from each other. Like many many modern families we deal wth separation. In my family we have devised express goodbyes. No wastage of words. We break from each other with the speed of a ripping band aid, so we do not have time to see each other cry. We hug strongly, then “see ya!” and walk fast in opposite directions.
I leave you with this image of our newly married couple. (with their permission of course). I took this 30 minutes after they were married. 
Good Bye New Zealand. I begin to fly tomorrow in New Zealand’s Wednesday and reach Chicago at midnight on an American Wednesday. After overnighting there I will leave as early as possible and drive back down country to my own farm. Hopefully reaching home in time for chores, with considerable relief I might add.
I am not finished with my travels though. In a month I go to California for a few days to meet a new arrival in our family. But that is not until next month. For now I am looking forward to getting back to work.
See you on the other side.
Your friend in the air
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “The Weary Way”
Walking away fast. The only way. We are all spread so widely.
The couple’s picture is elegant and like a time portal image. The old mountain land sweeping down to flown around them mirroring the folds and swirls of her gown and dark lines of his suit. It is somehow very much a picture of all those the land has held in the past and will nourish in the future. Quite timeless statement.
Fill your eyes and soak in the memories. Safe travels!
Oh Celi .. What a post! How sad to be leaving your family and NZ, thank heavens for wonderful memories, photos and skype (lol). I just love that pic of the married couple wow! Safe journey home lovely lady 😀
Well done. What a beautiful family for beautiful Celi!
I’m just catching up your past few amazing days in NZ. The pics, people, places are beautiful. And you (& they) have shared them so generously. It’s wonderful to get an insight to how [other] real people live, come together and celebrate their lives and each other. Safe travels.
Travel safely. Beautiful photos. I like the bandaid approach. I will remember that if ever my kiddos move away.
I love the girl’s inked sleeve in that first pic…….but that’s not the bride is it, she has a little sleeve, not a bare shoulder….sister maybe? And are you about to slip that pretty blue dress on, Celi ? It’s Wednesday here, so you’re on your way……safe travels and see you at “home”
That is my daughter.. she left for Melbourne yesterday.. c
ah thought so… gorgeous and great tatt…..oh if only if I didn’t have wrinkly arms
At long last we have a photo of you, Cecilia. Charming picture–and yes, beautiful smile. I love the way the bride’s dress falls, so creamy and flowing and elegant. And such a handsome son. Both kids with gorgeous hair!
I’m wondering–when are all 5 of your children and their spouses and children going to descend on the farmy? They must be longing to see first-hand your critters all. Your family would create a whole town itself.
I hope the daughter you brought ALL THE LIGHT for loves it as much as those of us in your fellowship who read it did. The author’s a poet. And what is The Good Good Pig? I’ll have to look that up.
Well, just about time, Celi Not a photo of an arm or a leg or some hair from the back or a riding photo also from the back, but a beautiful close-up showing those happy sparkling eyes! Yippee, lady: in Oz we would say ‘jeez, she does scrub up well’ 🙂 !! Love the photo of Sophie’s back with a loving brother hugging and the bridal couple of course! What wonderful memories . . .
A grand and happy picture of you, a bittersweet picture of your son and daughter and wonderful shot of your newly married son and daughter in law…thanks! Safe travels to your northern hemisphere home and thanks for sharing your lovely shots of your family and New Zealand with us.
You are a doll!
Linda ❤⊱彡
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
Have a safe trip! I love your band aid analogy. Perfect.
Wonderful!
very brave of you C. i had to have a bit of a sob leaving nz. I love love the photo of bride and groom. so original. happy new year and love you always. love maria
It seems strange… the days of your journey seemed to fly quickly by, but back home in the states, I feel it’s been an eternity you’ve been gone.
Beautiful you and your beautiful family – for every sad goodbye there is a happy hello to look forward to 🙂