Silver Linings

I don't think that I could ever make the argument that I am a starry-eyed optimist, that I'm a glass-half-full sort of gal. But sometimes focusing on the positive is the best way, maybe even the only way to endure. You may remember a post that I wrote several months ago about the relief that accompanied the news that Eric could remain with me in India instead of returning to the US for work. Well, it seems that our luck has run out as we learned this week that when I return to India in January following our winter holiday, I will be alone. We have had these scares in the past but this time Eric assures me that it is definite and we are making plans for his return to the USA.

I should be sad, scared, worried; those would all be rational responses but instead I find myself excited, sometimes almost giddy at the thought of Eric settled back home, just waiting a few short months for me and the girls to arrive. I have happily been making calls to apartment complexes, just thrilled knowing that we will have a place to stay when we arrive back in the US, a home ready and waiting for us almost as though we never left. A home with a stove, oven, adult-sized refrigerator and washing machine, dishwasher, hot water, the list goes on and on and on...

We have been very lucky, we have had the opportunity to spend two whole years (today was our 2 year anniversary of arriving in Bangalore) living an adventure that I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would have. I have been able to share that adventure with the most wonderful guy that I have ever known, we have had some great times here and we have had some miserable times as well but we had them all together. How can I be upset about 6 months apart when we have had such an enriching two years together in India? I feel like expecting any more would be just selfish and I am so happy for Eric that he gets to go home, I know how much he misses it.

I am not an idiot though, I know that my last six months in India without Eric is going to be hard for both of us, we have already done the long-distance thing and it was no picnic. That compared to this was child's play, calling Peoria to Arlington Heights long-distance seems ridiculous when you stack that against Bangalore-Arlington Heights. But we are tough and six months isn't that long; I have Mira and Chaya to keep me company and comfort me and Eric will have Big Macs and Whoppers.

Aren't silver linings wonderful?