Maybe it happened when I was left hanging out with my "built in" friends' wives, and I realized how truly precious and rare my close friends really are....

Maybe it was because MIL and SIL's mother thoughtlessly teased that the new baby is my *real* niece and that my sister's children "don't count", where as I'm sure you all know, I'd give anything in the world to spend more time with them....

Maybe it is the nostalgia of the season, as I remember all the good things of Christmases past, and wish that I could return to those simpler times, but know that life only moves forward....

Maybe it was because I realized that spending Christmas with my own family would actually be a lot more festive and easy-going than enduring this ongoing passive aggressive top Grandma competition here in K-town (Heaven help us, Christmas dinner is gonna be painful this year!)....

Maybe it's a combination of everything.... but with each passing incident my homesickness has been gradually coming to an emotional climax.

J told me that I am overdue for a visit home. I know. I really am. I've got to shake this funk, and a trip to my roots is the only cure.

I've started noticing a pattern because it seems this happens every couple of years -- I start to *really* crave a little pop-in to Pemmytown. I miss all the faces and places. The streets. The squirrels. The Valley accent. The familiar last names. The murals. The nooks and crannies that evoke forgotten memories. Everything.

While a visit sometimes presents its own unique drama and upheavals of mixed emotions, for the most part, I find it very grounding to go back. Afterwards the feeling usually ripples for a while and keeps me going for another two years or so, until I eventually find the need to return and soak myself in the past again. It's weird and wonderful. I can't explain it except to say that there is almost a subtle irony how that the place we are the most anxious to run away from, sometimes turns into the place we need the most.

Of course, Christmas is almost here, and I'm not going to bail on our current plans at the last minute. Besides, flights are sooo damn expensive! I could probably find a flight to Europe for practically the same price as a flight from BC to Ontario. It's just stupid.

But J encouraged me to check out flights anyway. If this is something I need to do, we will find a way to afford it. So I logged on to Westjet and well... looks like the Universe was on my side....

Westjet must be in the spirit of giving, because I found the lowest priced flights that I have EVER seen... and I do mean EVER! I couldn't get over it. I still can't believe it. (BTW, the sale ends today - Dec. 22nd - so if Westjet travels to your area, it's definitely worth checking out.)

I called Sis to see when would be a good time to come home. Of course she said "right away", but let's be reasonable now. ;) She told me that Niece goes on her Spring break in March, and so I decided to fly home in time for that week.

Then I contacted my best friend, H, who lives in Ottawa, where I'll be flying into. I asked if I could spend a night or two at her new home which I've yet to see. I figured that we could spend a couple days together before I headed into Pemmytown. She suggested that I should just get a one way flight and move back. But again, let's be reasonable now. ;) Anyhow, she is simply thrilled to hear I'm coming back for a visit, and plans to take a couple days off work so we can go out for St. Patty's together. Fun stuff.

And so, it's done. I booked my flight last night, and I can't wait. I'm flying home March 13th and return to Kelowna on the 23rd. I hope to keep this visit low key, because I don't want friends from Toronto or Belleville travelling into town to spend time with me too... because I know they will. And honestly, as much as I love them, this trip cannot be another Ontario-wide visit. It has to be about the folks who live in the Valley... (Which includes you, Ms. Janet. I'd love to finally see you face-to-face again if you're around. ;)

It will be a good trip, and I'm *really* looking forward to it. I have to say that I feel a million times better already.