Flashbacks

I just had a flash of realization of how different my life is today than it was a year ago. October 1 marked my 1 year anniversary living in Wilmington. I am listening to some of my favorite female musicians while preparing a "spot o' tea" for myself. My tea of choice this morning is Mate Riviera from Townshend's Teahouse in Bend, OR. I have not sipped this tea since my road trip. It was the smell of the tea that hit me. I instantly flashed back to my many visits to the Teahouse, tasting a new tea with each visit. I felt as if I had been slapped in the face by an undeniable desire to be amidst the ponderosa pines, to feel the cool, dry air on my skin, and to share a spot 0' tea with dear friends, whom I miss greatly.

Don't get me wrong, I am content in my new home. I am making new friends and growing exponentially every day. I still miss the familiar. Even after a year, everything feels so new. I guess the one thing that is most familiar, is this feeling. This feeling of being in yet another new place for the one year anniversary, longing for familiarity and for connections that are now scattered. I have a feeling this time is going to be different, though. I have a feeling that this one year anniversary will grow into a 5 year anniversary. Now, that will be interesting!