Normal or Nuts

I'm not really sure if this is Normal or Nuts.  Hopefully, you'll weigh in and give me some perspective.

With those I care most deeply about, I have a genuine need to SEE their home; their environment.

What?!  Nuts!  Definitely Nuts!

Please reserve judgment until I can explain.

I first became aware of  my oddity when my sister moved to Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.  She's my only sister and suddenly I had this overwhelming desire to SEE where she would be living, teaching, going to church.

We talked frequently on the phone and she described their home, her school, their grocery store - but that wasn't enough.  So my gracious husband put me on a plane to go for a visit.

After three days, I returned to NC satisfied.   I had a clear view of her new surroundings in my mind's eye and that brought me peace.

My best friend moved to Nashville, TN.  Another plane ticket.  Another three days of traveling around with her to experience the daily routine of one I love.  Clear perspective/total peace.

When John first announced his intention to marry Joy, I was greatly relieved that his mom (Linda) invited me to come to NY as a guest speaker for their spring ladies' event.  That trip took four days but it was wonderful!

I experienced the "home" of the young man who would become our first son.

I met the people who influenced him in church; drove past his high school.  Saw the backyard where he grew up playing with his brothers.  I walked the incredibly long driveway he helped shovel every winter; character in training!  Sat at the piano where he learned to play and stood in the basement where he learned to work on motors.    Deep Contented Sigh.

When the girls went away to college, I helped set up their rooms.  I knew where they were most likely sitting as we talked on the phone.  I understood how far their walk was to work in the campus bookstore.  I knew the house where they did nanny service.  Peace.

Probably my most extreme example of this was Kristin's time in India.  At eighteen, she got on a plane and flew halfway around the world to serve as a nanny and teacher for missionary friends.  We were only able to talk once a week for a few minutes at a time.  She tried to describe the people, the food, the scents, the heat, the churches - but it was an impossible task.

This place was changing her life and I had absolutely no visual image to relate to whatsoever!

It had already been planned that Frank would go over to minister, then fly back with her.  But Mom would be left trying to grasp the magnitude through only a few photos and stories.

Nope!  Plane ticket, please.  Fourteen days and thousands of miles later, I came home with my visual images firmly ensconced.  (And as a bonus, my own life-changing experiences!)

This morning as I sat in my prayer chair by the window and read of the Israelite children; of Jesus in the Temple; of the Psalmist David - I began to smile.  A big, goofy kind of smile.  The kind that just comes up out of your gut and takes over your face!

"I'm going to YOUR favorite place on earth, Father!"  It swept over me for the hundredth time.

Frank and I will stand on the Temple steps where Jesus stood. Step into the Jordan River.  We will walk through the dimly lit tunnel dug 2,500 years ago by Hezekiah.  We'll kneel in Gethsemane; glide on the Sea of Galilee. I'll finally SEE what I've spent all this time reading about and studying.

One week from today,  I'll land in Tel Aviv and begin my ten day journey to experience the home of One I have loved my entire life. 

My joy of anticipation knows no bounds!  There is certainty that this will be life-changing .

On second thought, if it's nuts - I'm okay with that!

But I'd still love to hear your vote.  Blessings!