Happy Father's Day

I know I said I was going to step away from the computer for a couple of days, but I just couldn't resist publicly wishing my dad (and all the other extraordinary men in my life) a Happy Father's Day.

My dad is the guy who always believed in me, the guy I count on to listen and let me work out a problem in my head without trying to sway me in any direction.  I love it when he stays at my house because those little things I never get around to fixing always get repaired - even things I didn't know were broken.  He'll take me all over the valley to try and find unique places to photograph, he shared his love of music with me and I'll never forget all the rides he gave me to school quizzing me on who was singing on the radio.

Not only is he a great father - he's an amazing grandfather.  He'll do anything for his little ones - including building a snow pile for Miss M when the snow is too dry for a snow man, and, when we can't quite explain to her what a snow angel is - he's willing to demonstrate!

I love you dad!

Because of the love my dad has always given so freely, I've never been able to listen to this song without crying.

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'til You Leave

Last night I had a great conversation with one of my co-workers here in Delhi. He's spent a lot of time in India and really loves it. Delhi is so different from every place else I've experienced I've struggled to explain it to friends and family. It's different and exciting which I love, it's dirty and smelly which I hate and the poverty here breaks my heart. Talking to him helped me realize that I need to take the time while I'm here to experience this country and its people, today I took a first step in that new goal. When the pedi-cabs started following behind me trying to get my business, instead of saying I don't need to go far I'll walk, today I jumped up on the bike and let the driver give me a lift. It was a blast, my feet weren't as dirty when I arrived home and I felt like my $1.25 helped a guy who was trying to earn an honest living.

As I talked to M last night about life in India and making the most of the time here, a phrase from a Tim McGraw song kept repeating in my head:

I stood at the crosswords
Took a long look at me
Sometimes you don't know where you're from 'til you leave

While I've always been proud to be a small town girl and can't imagine anyplace but Aurora being my hometown. I know my experiences in the past couple of years living abroad have made me appreciate that part of my life and the lessons I learned there so much more than I ever could have without leaving the familiar behind for a time.

My path through life isn't for everyone, but I know it has been the right one for me. I hope that the song's chorus comes true for me too at some point:

And I've been out there searching
For a place where I belong
And on my way I heard my song
Let it sing me home

I don't know that Aurora will ever be home for me again, but I'll find a place someday where I can feel the unconditional love and sense of belonging that I had as a child in Aurora.

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