Reconnecting with Family

I just got off a half-hour Skype call with my cousins Carlos and Enrique; they could see me, but because their camera wasn't working I couldn't see them.  But it was great to hear both their voices and catch up with them.  Especially after what I wrote about Carlos just a few days ago.  It goes to show you (and me) that you can never assume anything and that communication is very important to dispel any incorrect assumptions.  I'm feeling pretty happy right now.

At the end of the call, I told them that I was going to get my daughter, but when I came back on screen I was holding up Rocky.  I asked them rhetorically if he looked like me; I got a good laugh from them on that one.  Then, a minute later, I actually brought Seva into the picture.  She had been crying in her crib upstairs (probably because she could hear my voice speaking loudly downstairs).  Although she calmed down for a minute, she started crying again (probably because she was tired at this late hour), so I had to end the call.  I told Carlos, though, that I hope to talk with him again soon.

We had a few good laughs during our conversation; it was really good.  Now that I'm writing about it, it makes me think for the first time that I'd like to go back to Costa Rica at some point.  I hadn't felt that way until now.

Sticking with the theme of reconnecting with family, Jess is going to visit our Aunt Judith and Uncle Ray in Long Beach Island this weekend.  A couple of our cousins may be there too.  Jess passed along Judith's invitation for Jeannie, Seva, and me to go.  And I think we just may take them up on the offer, which would be the first time I've seen the paternal side of my family in many years.

Finally, I just want to add a comment relating to a thought that I'd had earlier today, a thought that came back to me and was reconfirmed after my Skype call with my cousins: I have been much, much happier being away from [...].  It's now been about two months that I've been away.  I reflected and realized today that I'm turning a corner now where my mental and emotional health is finally healing.  I finally feel like my old self!  It's a great feeling.  And it's a sign that I'm heading in the right direction, towards good and away from a bad vibe.  I feel great and I'm thankful.