October 12

 My second night in Quality Inn. It is very nice (once you find it way off the road) with a hot breakfast). 

The trees were lovely, but now mostly greens, which are lovely too. 

I am excited to be returning "home", though it is still hard to see it as home, what with crazy traffic and drivers, and politics. And I will miss the big trees. I will also miss the driving through walls of stone, sands of many colors, and especially the adventure of it all. I already miss all my family and friends with whom I visited......now all far away.

I am now officially ani elder, though not necessarily wise, as I watch my peers getting older and diminishing in health and abilities and even leaving planet earth. When each one leaves, they take a small piece of me with them. 

There is also the great sadness for the hate and war and death and hunger--so much and we do not seem to be able to stop it. That ,is so very sad, yet we keep going, keep loving, and keep treasuring the beauty and the love and the moments of awe and joy.

Blessings, Alia