The dogs greeted me with much barking. I couldn't tell if they were happy to see me or didn't know who I was. I'd been gone for almost five weeks. Forever in dog days. Summer had past and fall was quickly on its way. Sunny days and air conditioning was replaced with cool breezes and turning leaves. I was glad to be home again.
Getting back to my desk, reviewing mail, checking the latest emails reminded me of how much I missed while I was gone. Parishioners had been in the hospital. Weddings had taken place. And more meetings that I could imagine had taken place. Was I ready to jump back into the middle of all this? I suddenly realized how insulated I had been from the day to day drama of life. Study leave tends to do that ... create an unreal bubble around you so that you can do the work you need to do. I enjoyed my time away. It was a luxury I won't soon forget. Isn't that the way we all feel when we have the opportunity to step out of our routine? Whether its a weekend away in the mountains or a two week vacation or a sabbatical we're given a chance to breathe, to step back and take a look at life and when we return we're refreshed, relaxed and ready to begin again.
I suppose that's where I am tonight. I'm glad I'm home again. And I'm ready to begin again.
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