April 21st-May 10th, that is how long I spent visiting my son and daughter-in-law in Atlanta…20 days. That is an awfully long time when you consider Spring is popping out and grass is growing while you are gone.

I will forever be grateful to my kids for opening their home and hearts to me and making me feel welcome, even regretting my leaving after such a long stay. Whenever I visit I feel welcomed. I feel loved and I feel my being there is desired on all our parts.

I spent some wonderful time with them, with their friends and just being alone and enjoying the landscape of Atlanta. Walking the belt line and the neighborhood, going out to eat, riding the MARTA to Decatur, or just sitting on the upper deck each night, sharing that special family time just talking with my family, are all precious moments that are and will be treasured in my memories.

But, as with everything in life, all good things must come to an end, or in this case, transition back to the norm. Returning home last night, I was welcomed by the sight of Spring having finally arrived in my hometown. My Magnolia tree is blooming, the grass is high, my yard looks neglected and I am biting at the bit to get out there and fire up the mower. However, it is rainy and foggy and just a typical, yucky Wisconsin day.

One unexpected welcome was, I found a mama Robin has built her nest in my front door light and when I went to open the door, she fussed at me from a near by branch; scolding me for getting too near her babies. Ugh…I hate when that happens, so I guess I will be entering via my back door until the babies are old enough to leave the nest, which I hope is very soon.

One of the adjustments I have made is, while in Atlanta, there was no TV in my kids’ home. Their’s had broken and they felt no need to replace it. So for me, that was major. But after a bit, I did not even miss it. When I felt the need to be entertained, visually, I just accessed Netflix and Hulu on my iPad, and that certainly worked for me. So when I got home last night, I did not feel the need to even turn it on. Wonder how long that will last? LOL!

So while I had a great time in Atlanta, once again, be it ever so humble, there really is no place quite like being home. There is a lot to be said about being in your own bed, your own space, and in your own routine.