mist in the hills.

It is evident that the monsoon has arrived in Mussoorie as the mist rolls over the mountains through our yard.  Priya’s usually straight and fine blond hair has started to get little ringlets around her face and the sheets when crawling into bed feel damp.  The monsoon season will be short this year since we will soon be in the Nebraska heat and humidity. I feel as if I have forgotten what an “all American” summer is like, preparing for our exit in the next few weeks.  This exit comes with many mixed emotions as Mussoorie has become home and a place that is so close to our hearts.  The reality of our move to Delhi is real now with various local business men walking through the 150 year old halls and rooms of our house, planning for the future of the property.  I am grieving the thought that we will be visitors the next time we come up the hill.  I often find myself in a very reflective, sentimental place on the brink of change.  

So...we went for a walk today.  We do this nearly everyday before dinner.  It has become routine.  We caught the sun after the rain as it beamed horizontal on the landscape saturating all the life around us into brilliant colors.  Perfect for photography so I brought my camera to capture one of our last walks here.  Reflecting on some of our first walks when moving here in the middle of winter 18 months ago.  I could barely keep Hudson from running off the cliffs and Priya rarely made it even half way around our regular loop before begging to be picked up.  Everett was always on my back viewing the world from above my head.  Today, they all ran free on the roads, stopping to throw rocks, find sticks and climb boulders.  Encountering Graham on his evening run and chasing behind him yelling “go daddy”.

It is extremely difficult to abandon this small mountain town that in some way seems to define our family and move to the capital of India.  Believing that we will find our place and purpose in the mega city. 

the birthday of our family...

I must pay tribute to the 9 years of marriage we just completed.  The quickness of time hits me often when telling someone my age or the age of our children, but it really hit both of us this past June 1st.  9 years?  Really?  Is it possible?  I guess this is what happens when marrying young.

Thanks to three new summer interns who were willing to babysit, we were able to go out for the evening after the kids went to bed.  We sat and ate at the same place we had gone on our 3rd anniversary when in India as interns.  6 years later we are back in India with 3 children and another curled up inside.  Talking about what is behind us and what is ahead .  Reflecting on what things we would like to change and what things in our marriage and family we value and want to continue.

Life looks quite different then that summer evening in 2002, but feeling solemnly grateful for the love and relationship God has given us and brainstorming an exotic get away for our 10th if possible with 3 young kids and a nursing 9 month old in India.  We will see.