Bittersweet Endings

Well, there are only two days left until I return back to the land of my inheritance. I'm really, really glad that I did this workshop--I think it will help my baroque playing and has definitely helped me keep my chops in good shape over the summer--but I'm also really, really, really glad that it's so close to being over. Very soon, I'll be back on the plane to Texas, and I couldn't be more excited.

Like I said, though, it's been a really good experience for me. I've learned a lot about Baroque playing and about general musicianship, and I definitely have grown from this. They do a really good job here--everything is super-organized and they're definitely aware of what's going on, which is often not the case. Plus, Toronto's just a cool city--I like it here.

As far as my excitement for going home, I guess I was just homesick. I miss my family and friends, the doggy (who just had surgery yesterday, poor thing) and the kitty, and of course The Boy. In fact, that's most of the reason I'm so anxious to be back home. It's been interesting, though, how that's all worked out.

For the first few days I was here, I was just really sad and pouty. I missed The Boy terribly, and I could see that it was going to be a really long two weeks ahead. Very shortly after I arrived in Toronto, my parents sent me an email saying that one of my professors had contacted them asking if I wanted to participate in a six-week chamber music festival out of state--that they were short a cellist and he'd thought of me. I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I knew it would be a great opportunity, but if I was having such a hard time only a few days into my two-week trip, how would I handle that times three?

It took a lot of thought and prayer (along with plenty of tears--and if you know me at all, you know I mean PLENTY), but I finally arrived at the conclusion that I needed to go ahead and take the opportunity I was so blessed to have been given. As soon as I came to that conclusion, the issue of geography seemed to be an insignificant one. This is definitely one of those instances where the Lord has blessed me for taking a step forward in faith; I feel pretty certain that I'd still be miserable if it weren't for that. Of course I still miss him immensely, but instead of looking at the days that stand between us with dread and horror, I can simply look forward to the day I get to see him. It's a small change, but it's made all the difference in my ability to cope with the situation. It's amazing, isn't it?