It’s
a cold, windy, rainy August morning in Savoonga. I’m curled up with a hot cup of coffee, the heat in the
house is cranked up to 75 degrees and the water in the toilet is splashing
around as the house shakes—it’s good to be home.
We
had a whirlwind summer, to say the least.
We planned our wedding, traveled up and down the East coast, attended a
record number of concerts and made the most of our time with family and
friends. My sister graduated from
high school and is starting college this week. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer for a third time,
and is once again kicking its ass.
We were lucky enough to be able to stay in Chelmsford with Brendan’s
family and are so appreciative of all of the kindness and generosity that
surrounded us the whole time we were home.
Between
finishing my first year teaching and amidst all of the changes and obstacles
our families have undergone and overcome throughout the past year, the summer was greatly needed
and gave us ample time to reflect, refocus and reenergize. We feel ready to tackle the year and
face all of its ups and downs with an open mind. As difficult as it was to once
again leave our family and friends, nothing can beat the feeling of being welcomed
off the plane in Savoonga with a “Welcome home!” 
Here’s
to a happy, healthy, productive and adventurous second year!
