Sunday, September 16, 2012

Day 12 and 13: The passage of time


Day 12 journal:

The last few days have not been what I expected. I got a total of about 4500 words written in the last two days and was extremely distracted by the events here at the ranch house.

When my cousin's arrived at the house, I was done. I really love my family and it was fun paling around the ranch with them. We went finishing, helped my uncle move out of his house, two days in a row and got to shoot a little bit.

My time with one of my cousins was calming and healing. She and I used to be really close there for a while, but for the last ten years we haven’t spoken or written. Catching up was fantastic, and I had forgotten how synced our lives seem to be. Of all our family, she and I are the two that break the mold the most. Doing what we want without worrying about what anyone else thinks. It was good to spend some time talking with her again after all these years. I really have missed her.

Watching Grandpa and Grandma leave today for what could be the last time, I was a wreck. It has been extremely emotional here at the ranch today. Everyone is clearing out tonight and I will be alone with my thoughts. It’s been a hard day.

The day never got any easier. After everyone left I wrote about 2000 words and spent the evening with my aunt and my 2nd cousin. We talked for a long time about the problems with the ranch, and ate dinner together… after dinner my 2nd cousin, his wife and I stayed up late discussing family and what this place means. I moved my gear into Dad’s room too… I kind of hate being in this room… not because of Dad, but because of my connection to it the last time I was here. My heart is heavy as I go to sleep.

Day 13 journal:

It is a quiet and lonely morning on the ranch. To think that 24 hours ago this place was bustling with activity, I have a hard time fathoming the depth of the silence. Imagining staying here through the winter, I get a profound sense of disconnection and loneliness. I love this place and the hearts that made it possible. But absent the people that I love, it doesn’t ring the same for me.

I think this feeling inside of me isn’t tied to the ranch so much as my family. It is nice to feel like I love them and that they love me… the ranch itself is very beautiful and serene, but feels empty without my grandparents, my father and my cousins. It is the love that binds us together as a family that is what I am longing for… that feeling of home. Hebrews 11:13. In our hearts as men we are all seeking a home. But there is no home for us on earth… our home is in heaven (paraphrased) so we will not find it in life.

I miss my family.

9000 words today though. Rounding the bend on this book. I see the end in sight and then can start the process of editing and re-writing. I really want to move on to the next book and keep this momentum, but who knows how it will go?

I chatted with my ex a little this morning; she has had a few rough days too… I am not sure what to say about it other than I tried to encourage her, but she hit the wall again. I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I feel bad for her. She did say some nice things to me… she said that she can feel me close to her, even though we’re afar… and that I warm her heart. I sometimes wonder if she is holding onto me out of fear of being alone… like she is not okay with me moving on while she seeks someone else. But that is fear talking… a fear I ought to crush! 

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