Yesterday, I went home.  I don’t get home to Ohio too often outside of holidays and funerals it seems.  But yesterday, I went home just because.  I met up with my best friend (in town also just because).  I took her to dinner for her birthday (only a couple of weeks late).  We went to a favorite restaurant that makes the best veal parm ever with a side of home made linguine with garlic butter.  We talked about everything and nothing.  We laughed.  We always laugh when we are together.  After dinner, we went to an old haunt.  There we found some old friends and some good beer.  The 6 of us sat and talked and laughed and drank.  (Only 2 for me…I had to drive in a few hours.)  From there, our motley crew headed to our favorite pub.  My best friend and I used to be found there more evenings than not.  We talked some more, laughed some more, drank some more (diet pepsi for me – wouldn’t want anyone to think I was drinking and driving).  It was like old times.  It felt so good to be surrounded by people who know me and care about me.  It felt so good to be away from these constant thoughts of the adoption and the empty, half-painted nursery.  It felt restorative.  I felt like me again for the first time in a long time.  I felt sane and happy.  I guess you can go home again – even if only for the evening.