Going to Scotland - Coming Home

created with ChatGPT

I leave tomorrow! Finally, now, I can get excited!

The decision to take this trip with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) was sort of spur-of-the-moment, a decision had to be made within days or registration would be closed. I'd seen the trip announced months before and thought it sounded like fun, but I was planning a different trip for the fall, so I didn't pay it much mind. When a message popped up that they had one room left, it was in the middle of preparations for the 250th Commemoration of the Battle of Moores Creek at the end of February, and I was neck-deep in sorting that out, as well as planning for Outlander author Diana Gabaldon's visit during that celebration.

I hadn't made much headway in planning my fall trip, beyond looking at houses on the short term let sites, and, with this trip, all I needed to do was show up at the airport. It was going to hit the major cities in the north of Scotland, where I wanted to be. Besides, I haven't travelled internationally since 2019 (Italy), my mobility was still not great, and it didn't look too strenuous. I thought I should enquire if they'd give me the room as a single. I was told they had a waiting list for singles, so I asked if any of them had indicated they'd be open to sharing. In fact, they did, so I contacted my potential roommate, Claudia, to see if she'd be interested. We talked on the phone for a while, and I told her I was ready to pull the trigger if she was! (We later met for lunch and hit it off just fine, so it was a good call.) I was booked!

With Moores Creek done and dusted, I was able to start thinking about it.... I AM GOING TO SCOTLAND!!! Now came the fun part, though I was WAY behind on preparations for the Port City Highland Games, my next big event, so I couldn't spend too much time thinking about it. I couldn't get too excited, I needed to get through the PCHG first. I would set aside one day a week, and some late-night time, to let myself "indulge" in preparing for the trip. As PCHG-time neared, and I got to the "if it's not done, it's not happening" point, I had a little more time, but it wasn't until that was done (last weekend!) that I could really immerse myself.

On my desk, I have a little heart-shaped dish given to me by a friend, that I keep bits of stone, polished glass, a green man medallion, and other mementos that I will often just pick up and hold, or use for soothing if something's bothered me. Among the objects are a couple of pieces of Scottish marble that came in a Heartbox awhile back. The other day, I randomly picked one out and held it in my hands. Instantly, there were tears in my eyes, my heart swellled, and all I could think was "I am going home." It brought so much joy to think, yes, I am going home. My soul aches to be there in a way I had not been aware of before.

Tomorrow, I will meet the OLLI group, and Claudia, at the Wilmington Airport for our very civilized 3:00 pm departure. Sunday morning, finally, after 25 long years, when the plane touches down in Edinburgh, I will be home. I can't wait to see what Scotland has in store for me!