Ten.Nine Hundred & Forty-Seven

1. Surprisingly not as tired as I thought I would be.

2. So much thunder and lightning. I give them more time which gives me more time. I lay and listen to the sound of the rain.

3. Quiet house.

4. I realize the restlessness is just anxiety about the return home. I busy myself putting furniture back where it belongs.

5. I know it will be hard to put into words.

6. No matter how old you get, it still feels good to lay down in your parents bed. She turns on the first episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

7. Emails. Delayed flights. Familiar faces.

8. He says that the airport is the best place for making new friends and that if you’re not making friends at the airport then you really need to take a look at yourself.

9. I find a friend from the symposium and we sit and talk. We talk so much I almost miss the first leg of my flight. My bun tumbles down as I walk/run to the gate.

10. “No agua?” “No. No agua, por que tengo agua.” “Habla espanol?” “Un poco pero necesito practicar.” We speak a few a few more sentences and then he tells me that my spanish is very good. That feels significant.

11. I intended to sleep but we talk the entire flight. Our names begin with the same letters. Our daughters’ names rhyme. We’ll both be in New Orleans again at the same time next month. We do the same work and believe in the power of the ocean.

12. The familiarity of the dark roads.

13. Trying not to dwell on the work that needs to be done but on the experience that needs processing.

14. Tired.

15. Restored.