Adventure Mom

Where do You Love? Spokane River, Downtown A friend asked me today, during a walk along the Spokane River, if I loved New Zealand beyond Pete. Meaning, do I love the place? Its people? The rhythm of its days, the smell of the air, the potential it holds for me and my kids? I've answered this question many times, and the reply usually goes like this: "I do love the country. It's beautiful; I have good friends there; I can run outside year-round. I don't like unheated homes, the high cost of living and hanging wash on a line to dry, but I think I can work around those challenges." After my friend and I parted ways, a new-ish thought hit me as my minivan and I bounced along the frontage road that leads to I-90: Loving a place and its people has more to do with how it helps you grow during a particular time in your life than anything else. Set aside the statistical abstract, including your job, cost of living, home and daily routine. Why do you love (or not

Back to En Zed Part Two I haven’t told Kiwi friends about this brief return to The Mount. My priority is spending time with Pete. My plan: tiptoe into the country unnoticed. Ha. I’m waiting at the Auckland domestic terminal for the flight to Tauranga when I spot a familiar-looking Kiwi bloke. I can’t place him immediately.                 “Dawn?” he says. “What are you doing here? It’s Matt. Michelle’s husband.” Of course. Michelle’s one of my Jogger friends. I laugh and tell him I’m in for a quick trip to see The Partner.                 “I couldn’t stay away,” I say, as we approach the jetway to board the plane. Buckled into my window seat, I gaze at grayness outside. Propellers on the aircraft’s twin engines chug to life, dispersing a circle of rain water beneath. We’re nearly on our way. Excitement builds in my stomach like a soda bottle about to spurt. I could burst from joy. Bet that’s not allowed at 15,000 feet. “Air New Zealand would like to welc

Back to En Zed  Part One She was never so happy to see such a big bird. Its long white body and ocean-blue tail with white whirls gleams in the twilight. She peers into its glassy eye, imagining she knows its soul – understands its path – can predict its next flight. I’m about to land at Los Angeles International Airport when I spot the Air New Zealand plane. I feel my mouth stretch wide in an ear-to-ear grin: the Maori design –swirls of white against blue - on the plane’s tail look like home. I’m going home. Home. I think I may finally know where home is. I’ve lasted nearly two months – 55 days - in Spokane before returning to New Zealand. I probably would’ve fled sooner, if I didn’t have to organize care for Fiona and Finley. My poor kiddos. Without their mom for a week while I visit The Partner. I couldn’t stand to be away from Pete any longer. Fool for love. I’ve spent $1400 for one week of kid-free time with The Partner. I bought my ticket about six weeks ago and