home.

well kids... all good stories must come to an end. I came to the Noog looking for life and found misery. Its not your fault, Noog... you did all you could. You enticed me with your pretty mountains and rivers and opened your doors to me with welcoming hearts. But as another turn in the road would have it. I must take my leave.

I am moving back home. I have realized over the past decade that home is not a fixed place. I have a home in so many locations around this country. However, my search for home has led me back to Madison, WI. Perhaps someday our paths will cross again, Noog...

For the past 17 days I have been hibernating, soul searching, getting pissed off, getting sad, and breathing in LIFE... There are so many to thank for taking care of me. Greg... you are my hero. You took me in and let me be a mass of nothingness for as long as I needed to. Misty... how I have been blessed with you in my life for so long is truly a mystery. You have always helped me up from my mistakes without judgment and with that gentle loving way about you. Shelle, you are my MOH... and that really means that you hold a special place of honor in my life. You are so good to me. You know me better than anyone, flaws and all, and still laugh with me about my mistakes and cheer me on (even if this one landed you what you've been wanting for so long... me home... I know that you would've supported me regardless of where life took me). My Mad-Towners (Shane, Miranda, JP, Tals, Chuckie, Jamie, Mike, Jillian,Katie)... can you imagine how it feels to have so many people missing you and gathering around you in a time of pain? You are a unique group of friends and I am so proud to be a part of it! Lance & Robin... you always know what to say... even if you don't know that you do. Advice from you is almost always painfully accurate and genuinely loving. Jon... a blast from my past that reminded me of both simpler times and the complex realities that I MUST face now... no more hiding. and Mom... you are phenomenal. I don't know how we are going to survive each other living together again... but in the end we both know our bickering is somehow rooted in love. Thank you for always being the voice in my head.

And as I finish up this post... I can hear the music from the Oscars playing telling me to quit thanking people and get off the damned stage... well, what did you expect? we all know how I love being the center of attention!! I've made decision #1 on my new adventure... move home.

there's no place like home.