Looking back on our lives in California, I sometimes marvel at the sheer volume of our activities and relationships with so many wonderful people.  We could have lived there for the rest of our lives.  We had been blessed with life-long friends and purposeful activities that enriched us.  

Ollie and I were chosen to be one of the couples that would collectively chair the upcoming Fiesta.  We were shocked and honored for being chosen.  Of course we accepted and began the process with Larry and Lorraine Walden.  We were well suited to work together.  We have kept in touch on Facebook.  I don’t write many letters anymore.  Oh my!  So many things have changed!

I was asked to sing for a wedding for two parishioners.  The man was widowed and was going to marry again.  I don’t remember exactly how old he was.  He was probably in his early forties.  A year or two later, he died of a heart attack and I was asked to sing for his funeral.  We were in the midst of preparations for the Fiesta.

I began to think about our parents.  Ollie’s parents and my parents were all in their 60’s.  We hadn’t even considered thinking about what we would do if one of them became seriously ill, let alone died.  Ollie and I talked about it and decided to ask the kids what they thought about moving back to Indiana.  They both decided immediately that they wanted to go back home.  A decision had been made.

Fiesta was coming together and school was out.  The kids were ready to leave, so we flew them home.  After Fiesta, the church gave us a party.  Five of the men from the parish sang a song for me on the stage.  We were able to say our goodbyes to all of our friends.  Ollie and I were touched by their wonderful generosity and love.  

We began the process of deciding what we would bring home and what we would leave behind.  Then we packed a moving truck and filled it up.  We would tow our car behind it.

Our drive back home included a stop or two with friends who had moved away from Indiana.  But then we drove home with as few stops as possible.  Upon arriving in Mishawaka, my parents and the kids were waiting for us.  As the song says, we were, “Back Home Again in Indiana.”  We were exactly where we were meant to be.  It was like the experience of finding ourselves in Duarte.  I know that God showed us the way.