I’m at the Cincinnati airport, waiting for my connecting flight to South Bend. If all goes well, I should be home in about two hours. I can’t wait. It’s been a grueling eight days away, and there’s nothing I want to do more than give Becky a big hug. This is the longest we’ve been away from each other since she moved to South Bend in January, and I almost forgot how hard it is being apart — all the moreso under the recent circumstances.
About that… an interviewer asked me yesterday, “What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?” I answered without hesitation, “Getting through the past week.” (We ended up spending the entire remainder of the interview talking about Sarah, the website, the musical tribute, the grieving process generally, etc. It was a very unconventional job interview!) On further consideration, I suppose my answer was not entirely correct; there are a few even more difficult experiences that I wouldn’t feel comfortable discussing in the context of an interview (or on this blog). But this eight-day marathon of wake, funeral, and interview after interview after interview, not to mention blogging Rita — with barely a free moment to breathe, let alone grieve — and all of it happening a couple thousand miles away from the love of my life, with the knowledge that I’m falling further and further behind in my classes every day, has undeniably been very rough. I don’t mean to aggrandize it; as I keep reminding myself and others, there are many others suffering much more… in Newington and in Utah, and also along the Gulf Coast and in countless other places around the country and world. Still, that knowledge doesn’t make me any less emotionally and physically exhausted. It just makes me appreciate more how much strength other people have.
I also want to add how much I appreciate the kindness and understanding that everyone has shown me. Professors, attorneys, friends, family, perfect strangers. Everyone. I am really grateful for that.
Anyway… the point of all this rambling is, I can’t wait to get home. I’ve never been so anxious to be in South Bend. :)
In other news, I just (finally) bought Christopher Paolini’s new book, Eldest (the sequel to Eragon), at the airport bookstore here in Cincy. I can’t wait to read it!
P.S. As long as I’m here, I’d better say: GO BENGALS! Carson Palmer rocks! :) They’re 3-0, you know.
UPDATE, 11:59 PM: I’m home! The animals appear to have missed me. They gave me an enthusiastic welcome, especially Robbie and Butter. :) Oh yeah, and Becky kind of missed me too. ;)
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Categories: Sarah LeFoll
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September 28th, 2005 at 10:47:00 pm
This is the Bengals’ year. Marvin Lewis is a coaching genius. The Ravens suck this year, the Browns are non-starters, and though the Steelers are tough, I believe they are beatable.
Go Bengals!
September 28th, 2005 at 11:02:40 pm
If you get stuck in Cincinnati Call Dom he lives there.
September 28th, 2005 at 11:17:14 pm
MmmmmCarsonPalmer. Yumyum.
Your flight better not be delayed!!! I’ve had all the angst I can handle today with Robbie galavanting about South Bend and crossing four lane roads in the middle of the night. The only upside of his little adventure is his current exhaustion. He’s been like a permanent lump on the floor all day.
Grumble grumble. Stupid Brendan leaving for a week! Stupid dog running away for the night! Stupid cats hiding their nail clippers and taking such demonic glee in clawing my new pants!
Harumph. When life is irksome, at least Carson Palmer has a cute bum. :)
September 28th, 2005 at 11:37:14 pm
LOL Becky…
Gee I do not think Brendan is going to have time to blog tonight ! 8¨D
September 28th, 2005 at 11:42:53 pm
It will be good to have you back, Bloy…but sorry about the whoopin’ ASU is gonna put on USC this weekend.
September 28th, 2005 at 11:49:42 pm
Oh now that is Funny ASU Beating USC … what are you smokin’ ?
September 29th, 2005 at 12:00:08 am
Brendan,
I say this sincerely: take a break from the internet addiction/blogging for a week or so. Spend time with those you love. Then come back and do this, since you do it well.
September 29th, 2005 at 12:00:11 am
been missin’ ya buddy :) a huge welcome back. do you have Eragon? i’d like to borrow that from you, if possible.
so…next tuesday, tacos? ;) :)
once again, welcome back :)
September 29th, 2005 at 12:32:44 am
Toni - only the worst…a mix of shredded Souter/Kennedy opinions.
;)
September 29th, 2005 at 12:56:15 am
Tim, when I try to take a break from blogging, it usually doesn’t work out. But that said, blogging will probably be light this weekend, as I have a LOT of work to catch up on.
September 29th, 2005 at 12:59:09 am
P.S. LOL Brian…
And, thanks Dmytro :) Tacos are possible…
September 29th, 2005 at 7:26:18 am
Welcome “home.”
Becky, school work and rest definately need to take priority for a while. Take advantage of having willing guestbloggers while getting back on track.
I bought Eldest a couple of weeks ago. Let me know what you think of it in comparison to Eragon after you find time to read it.
September 29th, 2005 at 9:21:54 am
Hope you enjoy Eldest. You got Kim started with Eragon several years ago and she bought Eldest the first day it was on the shelves. It made for good reading just before packing for school. Glad you are home with Becky. Be good to yourself!
September 29th, 2005 at 11:19:31 am
I have never read those books, are they lord of the ringsish?
September 29th, 2005 at 6:29:31 pm
Yes, they are rather LOTR-ish, though of course they are nowhere near as good; Tolkien’s books are literary masterpieces. But Paolini’s books are quite fun nonetheless, and very impressive considering he’s only like 20 years old!!
As for the other question you posed, which I deleted (nothing personal), can you leave an e-mail address? No one will be able to see your address except me, and I’ll be glad to respond to the question privately.