Just a thought… If you know you’re going home, the journey is never too hard. [Angela Wood]

Oh, it’s Thursday. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I haven’t counted down to a day like this since Christmases of the past. We’re going home today and I think I may try to take some pictures of our travels – it’s going to be a long haul – and cry tears of relief once they’re up and posted. It’ll mean we’re home.

There may even be a video. I don’t know how much time at the Calgary airport we’ll have to kill, and how the internet will be. But these are small-picture things.

The fridge is as empty as it can be and our home’s caretaker (she visits regularly during the summer months) will take with her anything that we couldn’t consume. I’ve watered the plants, taken a picture of the contents of the bathroom medicine cabinets and drawers (so I remember what not to bring down in the fall), and I think we’ve got this all figured out.

The forecast calls for rain here in the Coachella Valley today and I was so looking forward to sitting outside at Palm Springs International Airport while awaiting our flight, away from our fellow travelers for as long as we can be, until we are called to board.

PSP is one of those rare airports (in our experience) where we can be outdoors in an enclosed area after going through security, to enjoy the last bits of fine weather and fresh-ish air. We’ll figure it out, but I know Molly won’t want to be in her carrier one minute longer than she has to be, poor old gal.

We’ve already mapped out where the doggie relief area is for her at Calgary airport; when we get there tonight we have almost two hours to catch our connector to Victoria. Hopefully, with customs, screening and whatever awaits us, it won’t be cutting things too close. But hey – if we have to sleep in an airport or find a hotel to take the three of us, we’ll live. That’s all big picture.

To that end, as we dig out our coats, zip up and lock our suitcases and point ourselves back to our home and native land, I thought I’d share this with you. Kathy B. sent it to me and this piece really puts everything into the right focus. May it bring you peace.

I’ll be back with you either tomorrow or on the weekend – if not here, then definitely on Facebook. Thank you for your kind wishes through all of this.

Here we go.