Part 2.b: 23 Days

I returned home with a fresh perspective on the problems that waited there for me. I didn't have long to work on them though because three hours later I received a call from my brother in Florida. His youngest of two daughters had become suddenly sick and there was no explanation as to what was causing it. He and his ex-wife were both struggling to be in the hospital full time and make sure that their older daughter was making it to school and being cared for.

It took me about an hour to get ready to go. I drove from Central Pa to St. Petersburg Fl in about 20 hours. I stopped to "sleep" in my car once for almost 2 hours in the wee early morning. I remember waking up knowing why you can't leave animals in a car. I could not breath at all and decided that extra coffee was more important than sleep until I could get to my niece!

I spent the next ten days catching up with family, caring for my niece (as my other niece's health gradually improved), running on a bike path and swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as working on my family issues long distance. Things seemed to be improving in that area.

On my birthday (September 26, in case you were planning something, lol) I jumped back in

the car ready again to be home. When I got home the next day I really thought progress had been made on my personal problems only to find out within hours that my situation had gotten worse.

Eleven days later, on October 8th, only 23 days after returning home from the DR, I boarded a plane with a one way ticket back!

It turned out to be the less expensive choice when compared to getting an apartment locally and it wouldn't be long...We were working out our issues. We just needed a little more time and space.

I was sad and stressed to be leaving people I loved, both family and friends, the art classes I had been teaching for over a year, along with my daily practice of painting at home. I was sad to be leaving my beautiful dogs. My husband would care for them as we worked long distance to figure things out. I was looking forward to my beach and seeing Chelsea again.