One year ago today I was working my last (ever) shift at an organic grocery store in Australia. Sydneysiders filled the store, buying last minute items for the holidays. Christmas music from the night manager’s iPod filled the store. All signs pointed to Christmas, but I couldn’t get over the fact that I was wearing shorts and a short sleeved shirt. Or that my family was half a world away.
One year ago I wrote about how much I missed being at home for the holidays. I was glad to be in Australia, of course, but I wished that I could be in two places at once.
Angel in the front yard
Today I’m home and so thankful to celebrate with my family in a town that’s been home since 1996. Our traditions are in full swing and since performing in the church Christmas play (more on that later), I’ve been in the Christmas spirit.
2 feet of snow 2 years ago
Over the next two weeks I am going to spend time with family, friends, and my boyfriend (who flies in from Heathrow on Monday!), and feel so fortunate for all the time I have to simply be and relax with some of my favorite people.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate, and happy holidays to all, wherever in the world you may be! If I don’t post in the next week, I’ll see you in the new year.
Lots of love,
Heather
Twitter Updates
Merry Christmas babe and to all!
A lovely post, while it is nice to experience Christmas in different places, you will always miss the traditions and family.
Looking forward to seeing you in a couple of days! :-)!!!
You’re sitting beside me as I type this 🙂 We have had a great Boxing Day and birthday (for you) this week — NYE will be more of the same!
It’s that time of year when there really is no place like HOME!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Love from Buffalo (where Santa will not find snow this year!)
I will see you in just a few months when I visit Niki — can’t wait to see her again!
Awww so sweet! Glad you will be spending the holidays with family and friends and your BF at home!!!
Hope they are great! Merry Christmas!
Looking forward to hearing all about NYE in Istanbul!! Give the city a big hello and hug from me.
I can totally relate on the summer not feeling like Christmas, so even though we don’t have snow here in England, I’m enjoying the cold and being with family. Merry Christmas!
Hope you had a great Christmas with a fun NYE planed for tomorrow!
Merry Xmas love! Thanks again for the awesome card!!! It’s up on the fridge! XO
Aww, hehe 🙂 Glad it arrived! Curious how the green card under the tree went 😉
Merry Christmas, Heather! As you know, I am currently on a tour from Cairns to Sydney (in Noosa as I write this on Christmas Day) & all of us have to keep reminding ourselves that it really is Christmas! It’s quite strange without the cold & snow & of course being so far from friends & family, but it’s also wonderful to spend Christmas on the beach! (We were at Fraser Island earlier today) Glad you’re having a great holiday back home. 🙂 Have a wonderful New Year – can’t wait to Skype with you in early January! 🙂
I’m so proud of you for everything you’ve done in the last year. Can’t wait to Skype and talk about our reunion!!
I survived my first Christmas away from home. I think I will feel the same way as you next year- appreciative of being home for the holidays 🙂
Just now starting to catch up with the 60+ posts I’ve missed in the last week and a half — can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to in the last couple of weeks. Hope you’re having a blast, even though you’re far from home for the holidays.
Merry Christmas to you Heather, thanks for putting so much happiness and positivity on the internet! I love people like that!
And I think that’s one of the hard things about being an expat or citizen of the world — there’s always somewhere you could be missing.
Indeed — *always* somewhere to miss.
Thank you for the sweet comment 🙂 *HUG*
little macaron kisses from oz:)