Originally posted on August 26, 2014, by cruisingrunner
Yesterday was a busy day. I made a total of 4 trips into town (about a half mile round trip) for various reasons plus a 3-mile run, plus a hike up to the top of Mt. Palau. My crew was lukewarm at best about hiking with me, in fact Alex even used schoolwork as a reason NOT to go. After just a little bit of cajoling, though, Brenden agreed to go with me, and we ended up having some great one on one time, even if the highlight for him was the soft serve ice cream cone I bought him once we were back in town. The hike was not strenuous and mostly it was filled with Brenden’s endless questions about anything and everything and lots of photo taking of piggies. We just never get tired of the piggies.
On our way back into town we found ourselves in the midst of the after-school kid crowd. Kids were everywhere as they made their way walking home from school. They were all laughing, pushing each other, and even giving each other piggie back rides. There was constant chattering, and one small kid was even singing. Brenden was mostly silent, only talking to say hi to the kids as they passed us or we passed them. And then he made the astute and somewhat solemn observation that the kids here are acting just like the kids at home. He said, “It’s been sooo long.” He was visibly melancholy, and I knew he was missing his friends and his life back at home. He shook it off quickly, especially since he got that ice cream cone I previously mentioned. He also had a great evening with other kids here in the harbor and even made some new friends as well. But that twinge of homesickness was real when he had it, even if fleeting.
I had a bit of nostalgia for my past life myself last night, although it manifested itself in a more positive way than Brenden’s. The weather has been pretty cool here the last few days, so while getting ready to head out to dinner with a few friends, I actually had to pull out a duffle bag that’s been stowed for I don’t know how long in order to find a light jacket. It was my gray Lucy jacket that I bought myself for my 40th birthday. I wore jeans, a long sleeve shirt, and that Lucy jacket out to dinner, and it felt just like I was heading out to dinner back at home. I’m pretty sure I haven’t worn jeans since I was in California last October. It’s been too hot, for one thing, but also jeans don’t make good boat clothes because they take so long to dry if they get wet. It was a great evening, although the cuisine here in Tonga isn’t quite the caliber we could always find in Southern California.
Homsickness. We all get it from time to time. Well, except Tim. I’m not sure he ever misses home, with the exception of high pressure hot water showers.
-D.
Gresham Family Exodus 