March 1, 2015 – Saint Paul, Minnesota

House sitting has never been so lonely.

Well, mostly. Mari and Syr have been out of state for a few weeks visiting family, and I’ve almost completed the moderately large painting project she assigned to me before leaving. A few weeks? I’d kill someone. Fortunately for me, one of my cousins was willing to help complete the project. We have been spending a reasonable amount of time together of late, since we currently live so close to each other. It’s been nice living closer to my family in the twin cities; I’ve come to value our time together more than ever.

When you know you will only be in a place for a set amount of time, you tend to value your time in that place much more. You want to see as much as you can; you want to spend as much time as possible with those you care about. This is a common experience. On the same token, however, absence is just as important as presence. Being distant from people and places for extended periods makes it that much better when you see them again. Absence renews appreciation.

While our relationship has been growing stronger over the past few months, I know it will be harder to say goodbye this time. I don’t know when I’ll see him again. I don’t even know when I’ll see my immediate family again. But I do know this: in lieu of them, I’ll create temporary families as I go. Families who will treat me like their own. Families who will be treated as my own.

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” – Unknown