Feltwell, England

I arrived in Feltwell early yesterday evening. In many ways it feels as if it's been forever since I was here last but then when I saw Danette, she gave me a big hug and said "All three of the girls are home!" It's kind of hard not to feel at home after hearing that.

Feltwell is the small village where my cousins the Keegan's live. This was my "home away from home" last year while I was in Scotland. I spent numerous weekends, holidays, and a few long weeks of writing here last summer. They (Mike and Danette) work on the US Air Force Base just nearby but live in Feltwell. The girls (Maggie and Annie) basically grew up in the English countryside, while going to school on the base. They are a great group to be around; smart, intelligent, fun, easy, and just make you feel right at home. It's great to see and be with my family here again.

The girls (Mags and Annie) both just returned early Monday morning from Uni back in the States---Washington to be exact. I arrived yesterday afternoon/evening, so in a few ways it is as if we are all getting back at the same time. Especially since Maggie and I left about the same time last fall. I took the opportunity to see them all now because when I am done in Geneva, they will be on their family holiday to China--- 10 days. Mike and Danette are still in school, but the girls and I are headed to Cambridge this afternoon. A friend of mine from Uni last year is now at Cambridge, so I might try and see him while we are there.

Nothing else to report really. I got up just before 8am and went for a run this morning, which felt nice. It's nice and cool here--- I even saw my breath during my run. I was a little worried that something was wrong as I got the plane Monday night and felt sticky and muggy. Thought England had gone and changed its weather patterns on me. They were having "record" heat waves of 32'C (89.8'F) and it was sunny. I had been looking forward to the nice cool, rainy weather and sure enough--- it changed to just that last evening. Slept with the windows open, snuggled under my down comforter last night.

My time with my friends Hannah and Renee was wonderful in London. They picked me up from the airport and I am eternally greatful to them, especially since they live on the OTHER SIDE of London. They took me around their cute and adorable neighborhood of Greenwich yesterday morning and then we stopped for breakfast where I had tea and porridge. Last year they lived in York, so I saw them from time-to-time when I was passing through. I'll see them again in two weeks and stay with them before I head back to DC. We met at the camp for peopled with disabilities I worked at in upstate New York five years ago and have just stayed in touch since. Yesterday we started talking about camp and how we all greatly missed it.

Talk of summer camps is always one thing, but this was not your typical summer camp. You would work 14-16 hr days and never think twice of it. Many meals you wouldn't get a chance to eat because you were too busy feeding your guests or making sure they had eaten, but it never seemed to phase you. I think my first guest "Joe", a 67 yr.-old man, taught me more about myself than I could have learned anywhere else. Joe had cerebral palsy, a speech impediment, used a wheel-chair and a catheter. He also had unlimited amounts of patience. The first few days he would say something to me and I had no clue what he was saying. Due to embarassment because I couldn't figure out what he was saying, I just acted like I knew what he was saying, but then I would always screw up whatever he had requested. After a long two days together, Joe didn't seem to want to go to the evening activity and we just sat at the cabin. I couldn't figure out why, because he so loved being around everyone. So after everyone left, he started to talk with me. There is a difference; he wasn't talking to me, but with me. There was nothing for me to do but listen... learn. It wasn't that Joe didn't want to do the group activity that night, he just wanted to help me get over my own insecurities of my lack of understanding towards him. He helped me understand. Once my ears opened up and heard what he was saying, it was as if nothing was muttled or muttered again... everything was very crisp and clear. I think having Joe as my first guest that summer made my summer much smoother than it should have been.

Ren and Hannah always do that to me; they trigger memories or events from that summer which I had not thought about in a while. I miss my one-on-one time working with people who have disabilities--- it's a very real and grounded type of work. Extremely fun and rewarding as well. I suppose in more ways than I can imagine, it has helped get me to where I am today. While I am thankful for that, I am more thankful for the lessons and smiles it has left with me.