I’m not feeling sorry for myself, dear friends. And I’m not asking you to feel sorry for me. I’m just being honest. Today was the first time I really hit the wall with homesickness. I’ve had bouts of it before during my seven weeks away from home. Today is another thing entirely. Today is tears, sadness, more tears, thinking about my sweet dogs, my husband, my garden – home.
I have 3 weeks left here. I have a little more work to do on these productions, but not much. Frankly, I could leave in a few days and all would be well. I would not be honoring my contract, however, and I am true to my word. I think that is what makes this particular stretch harder: the knowledge that I’m not really needed much longer yet I have to hang in there for 3 more weeks.
I’m not as busy as I was when we were in rehearsals all day. So I have more free time. That sounds as if it is a good thing, but more free time equals more time to think about my far away family.
Ah well. As my mother used to say, “this too shall pass.” At least I think it was my mother. She may well read this and say to me, “I never said anything like that.”
I already feel a little better. Writing is always cathartic for me.
3 weeks and counting…
Claudia my heart goes out to you. Its so hard when your missing someone or something. come see us this coming weekend so Rita and I can cheer you up! XO Christie
You can do this. Really, you can. Maybe you need to spend time at the beach. How far are you from the beach? Do things outdoors if possible. Fresh air heals a lot of woes.
Di
Howdy Claudia Girl,
Okay, that was weird……
Anyway, I just want you to know that I’m sending you happy, silly, thoughts so that you might hang on to them for just a few (SHORT) weeks……think small, short, etc., It will all just be a memory soon, and your doggies are keeping you in their thoughts daily (I know this, cause my doggies told me so). Your hubby I can’t ESP with, but I’m absolutely sure your on his mind all day and night, cause that’s what my husband said is the case. So keep sharing with us, we can handle it, and maybe you can come over for some cheese and whine and we’ll say pooh pooh to the world! I gave you my number, call if you want.
Love ya’
Meri
Sorry you’re having a tough day, Claudia…it doesn’t really matter what we’re doing, or how wonderful of a place we happen to be in…home is just best. Go ahead and let us know how you feel…it stays right here!
Hope you feel better soon!
Julie
Oh dear…it is no doubt the fact that you are not AS busy and the challenge is waning. I would absolutely fill the off time with the beach, window shopping, treating yourself to tiny pleasures..meeting up with any bloggie friends out that way or get lost in a fabulous new book. It’s so normal what you are feeling now and it IS a testament to you honoring your word that you see it through to the end.
As darling as it was to have the photos from home, I think it threw you into the funk. It’s hard to be away from who and what you love so much. In three weeks this will be a faded blur.
Here’s to you!!!!
xox Rella
Ciao Claudia,
I do understand…it took me years before finally stop crying at night, missing my Mamma and Papa, it’s been 20 years and still think of them before I go to sleep. Sorry we didn’t see each other but I hope that I will be able to talk to you during the Chateu de Fleurs. Rita
Hang in there, Claudia. (((hugs)))
Hi Claudia,
I don’t know how you do it, being away from your home and family. You should give yourself a gigantic pat on the back in my opinion! I think you’re right, most likely the extra time on your hands has given you more time to think about being blue and missing those lovely four-legged children and Don too, of course!!!
We’re here for you to chat with, don’t forget it and it’s okay to be blue too and allow yourself those feelings. You’re in my thoughts!
xo~Tracie
Me again…Wish I could go talk to Christie and Rita with you! Hope you go so I can see what it was like ;)
xo
Dear Claudia,
I understand. And I think it was I who told you, “This too shall pass.” I share that bit of wisdom all the time.
Much Love, (from Seattle!)
Mary.
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Oh, homesickness would really be a tough one, I can understand that it must really be difficult for you. I’ve never been away from home for that amount of time, so I don’t imagine I can fully realize what that must be like.
I am thinking of you, and hope things will get easier! And then, before you know it, it will be time to go home!
Sorry, I have no wisdom to share, honey. I KNOW how it is. Hubs was in Japan for 13 months and I was home with 2 kids and just about tore my hair out trying to cope alone. I truly do understand not having your mate near you. Chin up and carry on…or something like that, chick!
xoxo,
Connie
Hang in there honey!! You will make it and I am sure your boys miss you just as much!
Oh, my sweet friend. We will count down the days with your. We too, want you to get back home and share your little corner of the world with us. But, I hear the gardens are still doing well.
Toodles,
Katester
Homesickness is tough… I’ve had my share. It seems like the last few weeks can be the roughest. You’ll be home with Don and the furbabies soon and all will be well.
I wish I was there to hang out with you– I think all of us would like to hang out with you in San Diego! Maybe we should just have a virtual teaparty– or happy hour perhaps?!
Hugs,
Jill
Sweet Claudia,
I’ve always felt that crying does cleanse the soul..it reliefs stress and anxiety….so I guess that’s the silver lining for us after our eyes swell and nose is stopped up! :0)
Gosh, I do know how hard this is for you..been there, done the separation thing…it’s just hard…no way around it. And it’s perfectly ok to cry and release everything to the universe.
I’m sending lots of sweet pink light to sooth your soul. ♥
Remember…in one week we will be hopping all over blogland for the Where Bloggers Create party…it’s hard to believe that a year has passed. I think there are well over 400 bloggers attending!
Lots of ((((((hugs))))) and lots of pink light..you see it?!…it’s coming right now. :0) ♥
Hugs,
Stephanie ♥
Claudia,
Just hang in there. We are all with you and we have all probably been where you are. My mother used to say, “This too will pass!”
Carol
Gracious, I was in the middle of commenting last night and my modem did something wanky. Dearest new friend. I think it’s wonderful and of course the right thing to honor that contract. Speak hear as we are listening. Soon you will be with husband, pets, the cottage, and the lovely garden. I can’t wait for posts from MHC. I too am in a kind of in limbo as we cannot offically move to our yellow house for four years. We do go there on weekends or I could not stand it.
hugs cubed~olive
Hi there…love your blog. I am not quite sure how I found you now but am glad I did. Coming here makes me smile. I am so sorry you are blue today and missing home.I get blue too from time to time. Funny…I just got done reading a blog where the gal is missing her mom she lost 7 months and so many days ago and wishes she could call her. I could relate to that as mine has been gone for 12 years and a day does not go by without thinking of her. Then, I come here and read your wonderful blog and the “this too shall pass” saying that you think your mom said. I needed to read that. I usually try and make a written or mental gratitude list when I am feeling blue…I don’t always remember to do that though. I am grateful for others that still have their moms in their lives like you, and that I can recognize that without getting all weird and jealous about it! Thanks for sharing your world with the rest of us.
Be kind to yourself Claudia. This is a tough gig but you’ll pull if off then you’ll be off back home and can pull weeds to your heart’s content :)
hi claudia,
i’m so sorry to hear you are feeling so lonely. it breaks my heart b/c i know how tough that is. when i get really down i try to count my blessings as i’m sure you do too. but in case you have forgotten…
you are a healthy, beautiful, talented woman.
you have a wonderful, devoted husband.
doggies to die for.
a beautiful home and garden.
tons of friends and followers.
you are rich in LOVE.
~janet
Dear Claudia:
Only three more weeks…It seems to have gone so much slower than last year. Chin up, my friend. Keep writing to us and we’ll try to lift you up.
xoxo
Donna
Dear Claudia,
we, all, have to face bad times and blue mood but at the end of the lane there is always a light.
When I am in a bad spirits I think of those who are less fortunate than me.
We live in a more and more virtual world and that is perhaps the key of the problem : we miss human contact.
(excuse my bad english)
Hang in there Claudia! Hopefully you can spend some time at the beach. That always makes me feel better.
I agree with Snappy Di. Go take more long walks on the beach. It always helps me chase the blues away!
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
OH CLAUDIA, I FEEL SO BAD FOR YOU, JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THINGS WERE OK, AND NOW THREE WEEKS TO GO….
I COULD GO ON AND ON AND TELL YOU TO DO THIS OR THAT, BUT WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH IS RUFF, AND ONLY YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER, BUT THAT’S NOT THAT EASY. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF… RIZZI
hello claudia. thanks so much for your sweet comment on my post. i understand how you are feeling as i always miss my little home when away. here’s hoping the three weeks will fly by and you’ll be soon back at home.
hugs,
shelley
I totally understand you homesickness. You love your hubby, dogs and sweet home. The days will pass quickly.
Hugs, Dogwood
A sweet hello and warm hug from Frog Hollow Farm. One reason that I love reading your blog is your honesty – you once gave me advice about just being myself and that advice that put me right back on track. You are on track yourself right now, doing what you are supposed to be doing and fulfilling a committment to people who love and admire you. It has come with strings attached – and those strings seem to be tugging at you today. I’ve read all of the comments to your post and your blogger friends are all sending you love, strength and support to get through the next few weeks – it’s coming right through the screen!! Can you feel it??? Okay, enough of that Eat, Pray, Love stuff (just finished the book). Can you send me an address to mail the embroidery and crewel threads to you? Going through all of the little bags and envelopes brought smiles to my face as I remembered my mom and her many hours of needlework. She’s been gone almost three years now and I miss her more than words can say. Hope your mom is doing better – it’s raining here and very muggy – bad hair day for me – definitely! Ciao, bella!
Well, just pick up the phone and give me a holler. We’ll hoot and cry and hoot some more.
Brenda
Hi Claudia!
I’m so glad Sophie’s antics made you laugh!!
I can’t imagine being away from home and my fur babies and hubby for the time you have been away . . . although right now I could use a wee bit of a break, LOL!
I hope the next three weeks FLY by and you’ll be home before you know it!!
xxoo
Hi Claudia!
I’m so glad Sophie’s antics made you laugh!!
I can’t imagine being away from home and my fur babies and hubby for the time you have been away . . . although right now I could use a wee bit of a break, LOL!
I hope the next three weeks FLY by and you’ll be home before you know it!!
xxoo
I hope your three weeks goes by so fast you forgot how it got to be time to go home.
hang in there, claudia. try to enjoy all of the things you love most about california in the next 3 weeks. take drives, eat fave foods, buy a tacky souvenier. soon you will be home with don and the furry pals.
xo
elyse
right….i feel like that when the army moves us. i get it. you should be sad. you miss home. it’s so secure to have a place that is completely your space and you miss that place.
oh…and you will have a box waiting for you when you get there. lol.
good luck. hang in there.
sue
Claudia, i feel for you…i really do…i don’t like being away from home myself…so i know how you feel…i saw the pics of your flowers in the post below…lovely…i’m glad that your husband sent them to you so you could see what was going on in your gardens…your roses are lovely…very intriguing about the red ones…maybe a fairy planted them for you while you were away…
Hang in there Claudia, think of it as “only” three more weeks and hopefully it will go by quickly! Enjoy the beach and the sea and try and keep busy, it helps the time go quicker…being homesick is no fun at all!
hugs,
Linda
Claudia, I’m so sorry you’re feeling homesick. I hope and pray that time just flies by and that you will be home before you know it! I don’t like being away from home, either. So I am sending you warm hugs today and always…
XOXOXO,
Sheila :-)
I’m reading this late because I didn’t turn the computer on this weekend- but I’m sending you hugs sweet Claudia.
Being away from home for such a long stretch of time must be difficult. But looking on the bright side, you are blessed to have a great job, your health, and a loving husband and beautiful cottage to come home to. Hang in there!
Big Hug!
xo
Mandy