Tadaima

Hustle up, let’s make the light!

We scurry across, between shade and patches of sun. It’s just Rhino and I, as Mama and Elephant skirted ahead to avoid the wait.

Transitions can be challenging

For me

For us.

Still.

An ongoing frustruation of not leaving enough time, or deliberating on the balance of what items to bring

and which to leave

this feeling, paralyzes,

numbs

Deer, meet headlights.

But, as we do, mercifully, we make our way. Enter the station and snake our tickets into the automated gate.

Automated, as most things, here in Japan.

Yet still so many employees

We sprint up the steps to find our train 30 seconds away

Perfect timing

We find a spot in this uncrowded carriage, heater quietly stowed at our feet, working its magic. Sunshine and blue greet us up as the train pushes onward.

I’m glad to be here with you

It’s pretty intense – this place is such a big part of who I am

It’s all here, though.

Memories flood, but not the big ones.

It’s never the big ones that touch you in the heart.

A creak of the train, announcements of stops, a tiny, perfectly arrayed farm nestled into the hillside. The sun beams as we nestle between the mountains.

I’m finally back

Or at least to a place that once was

a place that once was home

So much the same.

Yet how in 25 years could things not have changed.

Like news of a dear friend, of endless drive, energy, determination, who suffered a stroke and now, in hospital.

Sunlight, meet deer.

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