Heading Home

I've only just settled in and it's time to head home. My tent is all packed up and bags are packed. Even though it's been plenty long enough for me to be away from my family it's barely enough time to get into the groove of work and friendship up here at camp. Just now I feel myself relax and be part of the community here.  It's like my personality is peeking out from behind a curtain. The anxiety and stress of  day to day life is on a back burner for a while and I'm able to just be myself.  What a wonderful feeling!

How about I take that home with me. It'll be my gift to my friends and family back home.  I'll bring back Kate as she is, without the wet blanket of crazy anxiety that I usually drag around like a mourning veil.

Last night as the rain pelted my tent I couldn't help but smile. My trusty old (22 years old) tent kept me cozy and dry and I was just so happy to be snug. This place brings out an intense love in me. Love for people, love for nature, love for science, and incredible inspiration to create.

I'll take that gift home too.

Gratitude for my time here is ever present. I feel it down into the core of my being and it warms me like a white hot ember. Taking some time away and returning to my innermost interests and passions has been like medicine for me. At home are the people I love most in the world and some pretty big decisions that have to be made but I feel up to the task. All of a sudden there seems to be nothing but possibility at every angle and turn!

I'm going to bed and on my way I'll breathe that amazing arctic air and let the magic into my body and soul.

View from my tent before the rain came.

I'm Back

After all of these years I'm back at Toolik Lake Field Station.   I'm at the top of the world north of the Arctic Circle doing research with a friend.  It doesn't get better than this in my world. It's a wonder to go back to a place 20 years later. Toolik Field Station and the power of the surrounding landscape brought a definition to my self at 22 that I pulled in and used as a foundation for much of my life.  It's special to me and never far from my heart.

I started a process way back last August. This blog was part of a declaration of intention to heal and document my path. Even though I haven't documented much I have stayed committed to healing.  It took more energy than I thought it would but I've stayed the course. And here I am. Is it coincidence or part of that intention I threw out there 10 months ago that brought me here today?

I'll write more later.  For now I'm back and I'm happy and grateful to be here.