This year I spend Christmas with my folks in PA, just a short 4 day visit. The short duration was mainly to facilitate the writing of my thesis. As it ends up I’ve not made much headway since returning, guess I needed more of a break then I realized or just time alone. I’m somewhat reassured though after watching some of the extra material on the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” DVD (the BBC TV mini-series). In it was an excellent BBC “Omnibus” program on Douglas Adams, broadcast shortly after his untimely death in 2001. Apparently he had great difficult writing and would spend weeks in a depressed state until more of the work was done weeks before a deadline. One of his editors mentioned a favorite quote from another author “Writing is staring at a typewritten until blood comes out your pores.” I am by no means comparing myself to any published writer, but it’s comforting to see that the professionals have their issues as well.
Back from the tangent, the visit to PA was strangely pleasant, just enough time to see everybody. Both families were visited on two different days (much better then in years past). I got to see my uncle who’s had some recent health problems (long road, by he’s in good spirits) and found out that my cousin graduated with an Associates in graphic arts from Bradley Art Academe. She seems to have found her niche.
The visit with my Mom’s family was strangely calm. Might have been the space, my cousin and her husband bought the family homestead and have tons of space (well until the fill it with kids). The rural setting might have been an addition. It rained a bit near sunset, so in the west it was an eery gray, but there was enough light so that you could see most of the the arc of a rainbow. Not sure it is was an oman of not, but I know that is the first Christmas Day rainbow I’m seen (might be the last).
The only reason I have to go back to Lancaster is to visit my family and one good friend that still lives in the area. My mother would like more frequent visits, but I really can’t get back there that often. I’m single and in the future there might be another person’s schedule and desires to consider. My sister and her family can only visit every few years and I might have one of my own someday. What I see is the distancing of families geographically. My parents were the first to do it my moving an hour away from where they grew up. The moved for various reasons, mostly opportunity. There were only so many things you do do as a profession in rural American in the 1960s. I hope that they understand that their children have moved for a similar reason. We’ll go were is best for us and our families, not for the benefit of our parents. I don’t know where I’ll be in a 1 year, let alone 5 or 10. Hope they understand that.
