Friends, Family and Rain

I have been struck on this trip with the effect of my friends and my family on my life and state of mind. As a lesbian, my family is wider than my family of origin. It blurs the boundaries of traditional family. (Maybe this is not just exclusive to gay folk. Over the years it has been true for any of us who may experience some level of judgment, rejection or just a vague feeling of unease within our families.  Sometimes this unease or rejection rains in the beginning of disclosure or new relationships and dissipates as the years pass. Other times it lingers and moves in and out like storm clouds. So we include others in our knit close knit community and make a family of choice.  Well I digress.)

The topic is my immense gratitude for both friends and family in my life.  I see many of those I consider my friends or family infrequently. And I am not the most consistent communicator. This trip has allowed me to reconnect with some and to see what drew me to develop these friendships. I hope to become a more consistent communicator. But if I don’t, know that you are cherished and appreciated every time the wind calls your name to me.

On the  actual rain…I grew up in Buffalo NY. It has fewer sunny days per year than Seattle, WA. Low grey clouds hang over western New York from late Sept thru April. When it doesn’t snow, it rains or at least drizzles. We arrived in Buffalo yesterday, the clouds were hanging low and it was drizzling. It is 45 degrees. How could I forget this? When it began to rain as we left Yellowstone, I didn’t think much of it. When it began to rain as we left Michigan for Wisconsin, I didn’t think much of it. However it has not stopped as we traveled thru Wisconsin, Chicago, Indiana, Ohio, West VA (only a corner), Pennsylvania and now NY. I am beginning to get cranky (and damp). Have you ever hydroplaned with a camper? I have. Three times. Also our 30 amp electrical hook up is out, and the heater doesn’t work without it. Renee suggested that we get an extension cord and a blow dryer. (Can you believe we are traveling in a trailer so small that we can heat it with a hair dryer?) So now we are a bit less damp and slightly warmer. But these clouds are very oppressive!