In a few hours I will start my journey back to Swampscott MA, home to Carol Brady, David Lee Roth, a few retired Boston athletes and me. As you can see in the photo below, Zena knows I’m leaving and has been giving me the biggest guilt trip ever since.  Or it could be that she senses my anxiety.  I have flown around the world in the past few years and yet I still get anxious before I fly. I actually seriously considered taking Zena with me but with the fireworks on the 4th, I thought it would be best to take her another time.  Although I can’t stop thinking how cool it would be for Zena to enjoy the beach and all the sites and meet the family.  I really must figure out a way to train my dogs not to be afraid of fireworks.

Going home feels strange for me. It has been over 4 years since I’ve been back to Boston.  It’s the first time in 4 years since I took a non-business trip.  And, I haven’t been away from Rodrigo for more than a week for over 4 years.  What also sucks is that this is the first time I’ve spent the 4th apart from Rodrigo.  Our first date was on July 4th 2001.  I wish he could visit with me but his work is preventing him.  I’ll miss him terribly while I’m gone.  Balancing life in two countries is hard, you always have a loved one far away no matter where you are.

So, last night I packed. Between the uneven sidewalks of Argentina and the challenge of having dogs that love to pull, I haven’t worn high heels in years.  I’m taking advantage of the even sidewalks of the US and no dogs to enjoy heels while I’m away.  Packing my heels proved to be a difficult task last night. Marvin kept stealing my shoes as I dug around the box o’shoes for the match.   My usual tracker, Elsa, was no help in finding my shoe mates as she too kept pulling out shoes and running.  I wonder if they were trying to keep something of me while I’m gone.  I’m going to miss them.

Mom has already promised me that she will sit on my chest every morning at 5:30 to wake me up and then drag me for 5 kilometers around town so I don’t miss the dogs that much.  Like a good Julie McCoy, she has also planned just about every minute of my time home so if you would like to see me please arrange our meeting with my Cruise Director just PM me for her number.  Ever since I booked my trip, mom has been like a 5 year old starting a count down to Christmas in July. For two months now all her whatsapps have been about what we will do when we will do it etc.  I love it.  I can’t wait to see mom and have her make me a grilled cheese sandwich.  Initially I planned to surprise my parents and just show up.  Then I thought better and realized they are old and a surprise like that may cause health issues.  Plus, I needed a place to send all my Amazon boxes.

So after all this time why am I traveling to home?  May Dad is turning 70. I can’t believe my dad is going to be 70.  That’s grandpa’s age not dad’s age. His birthday is on July 2nd or 3rd.  I can’t really remember the exact date.  I blame the Swampscott fireworks. Swampscott’s fireworks are always on the 3rd.  I keep trying to remember if that event is on my dad’s birthday or the day after.  Either way, I won’t be able to see him on the 3rd.  His evil girlfriend has him booked for the day and night.  My hope is to have a few good hours or so with him.  He promised me a day at Home Depot and coffee every morning.  It is tough for him since the C U next Tuesday doesn’t like him hanging out with us (me and Mom).  After all these years she still thinks my mom and I are trying to get him to come back to mom.  HA!  Mom and I will continue our fairly recent tradition of dining at Anthony’s that evening.  Anyone is welcome to join.  It should be a blast, I make mom pretend she is Joan Crawford.  It takes a few martini’s in her before she can snipe at me about my posture.

If after traveling for a whole day to celebrate Dad’s b-day, I only get a few hours with him that’s ok.  At least I will get to see him.  I’m lucky that I still have both parents alive.  I plan to take advantage of every text, every call and any millisecond being with them in person because who knows what tomorrow will bring.  It is an odd time in my life as I see the first half of my life gone.  I have friends who I used to party with in my 20’s who are now turning 50!!!  How did this happen?   For all the bad that Facebook brings to society, having the ability to see my friends and family’s life’s milestones makes the evil site worthwhile.  It still doesn’t take the place of laughing out loud together, but at least it is something.   I plan to see you all while I’m home and have many gut splitting LOLs.  If I am a weird sentimental mess around you it is because I missed you.