Our Long Journey back home

This morning we begin our long journey home. Thousands of miles to get back to our own space. Thousands of miles and lots of hours to shift our minds from vacation mode back to reality. Causing me to reflect on our journey. To feel the process of separation from the idyllic lifestyle we have experienced over the last two weeks. The longest vacation I have ever taken in my work career. And am I ever glad I took this time for myself with my family.
It's amazing how perspective changes when we are driving to a place than when we are driving away from it. On our drive up to Sedona it seemed like we were driving through desert scenery after desert scenery. Anticipation mounting as to when we were going to see the Red Rocks Sedona is so known for. Pure joy when we finally caught sight of them.
However yesterday when we were leaving Sedona, we tried really hard to hold on to the red rock scenery for as long as we could. Tried to hold on to the image of the rocks for as long as we could. Holding onto the feeling we felt in Sedona. The peace. The love. The fulfilment and nourishment.
And then when the rocks were behind us, unlike when my husband and I left them some 15 years before, the feeling of fulfilment and the sense of gratitude and abundance remained with us even when we could no longer see them. The feelings remained with us for the whole drive. This time because we savoured the feel of Sedona the whole time we were there. Not taking any moment for granted. Not being sceptical about anything that came our way. Embracing all that was meant for us to experience and fully enjoying the experience. This time we were filled to the brim. Satiating our every need and beyond.
Leaving Sedona for all of us was bittersweet. A week full of fun and discovery. A week full of family togetherness and sharing. A week of pure and undeniable energy pouring into us. Both of our children saying they will really miss Sedona. The range of activities available to them. To all of us. The feel they felt there which they can't really articulate. But I understand. The feeling is not something that can be explained or expressed because it is so unique. So individual. My husband commenting that he so enjoyed himself in Sedona that he did not feel any regret about leaving. The feeling to remain in his heart forever as is the case for all of us. Leaving me feeling very happy that my family was happy.
Worried about what was ahead of me on my return because the last two weeks had been so idyllic. Looking up as we left Sedona and seeing a lone raven flying above us as if bidding us adieu, I relaxed knowing the Universe was shining down on us. And as I got that, the raven disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Leaving me grounded in the present moment. Not worrying about what was to come but savouring the journey ahead of us.
Allowing us all to see the beauty of the scenery that we were looking beyond on our drive up because we were too busy waiting to glimpse Sedona. But now that we were full with all Sedona could give us and all that we could experience, the scenery had changed from desert scenery in our minds to a beautiful and rolling scenery. Cacti that looked like it could get up and walk along side us. Rolling hills. A sense of space. A sense of openness.
As we got closer and closer to city with the sun shifting behind us casting a radiant light as if Arizona was sending us away with love and light. Filling us with possibility, I knew this trip was given to us as a gift. A gift for us to explore what we needed as individuals to grow, to expand, to see the more, and to accept we are where we are meant to be.
Recognising sometimes we have to step outside of our comfort zones in order to embrace the new as we did on this trip as a family. Today we will travel thousands of miles back home. Far away from our escape. A good thing as it give us time to transition back to reality. To savour our family vacation. To savour us. To appreciate all that we are. All that we have been exposed to. And all that is to come.
In gratitude for our journey to our escape and for our journey back to reality.