Home

“Home” is where my family is. It’s also where I live. If you could hear how many places I call “home,” you’d be confused. Saudi is “home.” Newberg is “home.” Anywhere I’m staying is “home” such as my hotel room or a friend’s house. I don’t know if that’s normal or just a product of moving around so much.

So…it’s great to be home with my family and my dog, Phoebe. There’s nothing like being around people who love you and you love. It’s the best thing in the world to see my sister Yvonne who we all thought would die this year. She’s still alive although looking older now. Her hair is short as she lost it all and it’s now grown back thicker, curlier and greyer than before. She often seems tired. Other than that, you wouldn’t know there is something trying to kill her inside.

Phoebe ran laps around the living room and whimpered from excitement when she first saw me. Such satisfaction to know she still loves me. She was, however, a bit confused as to where her loyalty should lie when Yvonne & I were together that first day. I desperately want to bring her back with me. She effortlessly raises my happy level to unusual highs.