In only eight hours

Easter Sunday, in the midst of Passover.

By leaving Melrose at 6:15am I arrived in Shapleigh at 8:15 and it was the sounds of the birds when I got out of the car.

The sun was bright, the air brisk and the birds welcomed me home.

I breathed the air and stood for a few minutes before going into the house.

1st on the list was filling the feeders for my welcoming committee; next I made sure the empty feeders on the porch were filled and made ready for my next trip her, back home.

I swept the porch and racked the pine spills from the packed ice at the end of the driveway. I picked up some fallen branches and got them to the never ending pile at the side of the driveway. All of this without a jacket on!

And I stood by the lake...I just stood and looked and breathed deeply. I had to take it all in...all of it!

The clear water, the small island; the bare and green trees, and the sandy hill across the lake. The canoe,unused for many years, and the statue of the heron guarding it all.

The wind was moving the trees and the air got colder, but I stood and looked and said a prayer of thanks for all of it.

My time was short today. I allowed myself four hours here before heading back the 90 miles to the city. ( I could not leave the dog any longer).

But I do believe it worked! It always does!

I am better, stronger, and I am filled with memories of wonderful times with friends, long gone.

And the knowledge that all of this is here; and I will be back.

I will always come back home!