A Quick Trip Home For Easter

I'll go ahead and state the obvious: Hamden, CT is a lot closer to home than Florida or Germany. This makes the potential of returning home only a snap decision away. So although I am not homesick (in fact I'm enjoying phase three of the gap year just as much as my grander adventures), I know it's only slightly longer than two hours in the car if I need or want to visit home.

Easter family gathering - Sam, Miranda, Mommom, and Cindy!

This past Easter weekend was my first of what will probably be a handful of quick decisions to swing by Williamstown. I found out that Park Central Tavern didn't need my assistance all weekend until the dinner shift on Sunday night, so plans were quickly set for an overnight trip. I left bright and early on a gorgeous Saturday morning (I would've squeezed in a quick nine holes before leaving, but I had a 10:00 AM kick-a-round on the turf to attend). Within fifteen minutes of passing into Williamstown, I was lacing up my boots for a small-sided soccer match, featuring many of Greylock's past, present, and future stars. And to my delight, the hour-and-a-half of soccer was only a prequel to the nearly three hours of tennis I played in the afternoon. Tennis is awesome, and I wish I knew a little bit more about what I was doing. I have a decent serve and can play a slice anywhere on the court (credit to my squash skills), but my ground strokes are about as inconsistant as the Red Sox's batting order. (Hey, we did win on opening day for the first time in a few years, so maybe it's a little early to criticize the Sox). Anyway, it won't be more than a few weeks until Sam is beating me 6-0 all the time, but I enjoyed hitting it around with the crew on Saturday. 

That evening brought a gathering at the Foehl household for a full slate of college sports on television. The NCAA basketball games were slightly uninspiring; even though it's always cool to see a high seed make it to the final four, I had little motivation to root for Wichita State as opposed to previous Cinderellas like Butler, VCU, and George Mason. Maybe Wichita would have more going for them if FSGC hadn't reached the Sweet Sixteen as a fifteen seed and captured the national spotlight. Fortunately, there was plenty of college hockey on as well. The greater New Haven area suddenly became the hockey capital of America as Yale and Quinnipiac both pulled off come-from-behind victories. We'll see both of them two weekends from now in the Frozen Four. Though both of our families are crazy about sports, the frequent Dils-Foehl gatherings are a highlight of mine no matter what is on television. And if all goes as plan, I'll be seeing them in Martha's Vineyard in a couple weeks. (Yeah Toby, get ready for plenty of wiffle ball). 

I've gone too long without mentioning an important new piece to the Dils family. My absence has opened up a spot in the house for Cindy, a Rotary Club exchange student from France. She's been at Mt. Greylock all year long, and we're the fourth family to host her. I got to meet Cindy this past weekend, and by the looks of it, Miranda is really enjoying having another girl in the house. She made it through our evening of sports viewing with the Foehls, as well as the next morning's Easter Sunrise Service. 

The sunrise service is an Easter tradition that I haven't missed in many years. Every Easter morning, whether it's sunny or snowing, a crowd from the Second Congregational Church of Williamstown gathers at Mt. Hope for a short service. We stand in a circle, listen to the congregation's youth, and sing without any piano or organ. And once in a while, as was the case this Easter, we see a sunrise. 

My visit home for Easter wouldn't have been complete without a brunch with my grandparents, Mommom and Babo. They arrived home from their six week stay in Florida this past Friday, and I know we were all thankful, because Easter wouldn't be the same without them. It feels like a whole lot longer than six weeks ago that I said goodbye to Mommom and Babo in Florida. Sharing an Easter meal with them was a treat. I've missed our Sunday gatherings as much as anything this year, so each one I get to attend is even more special.

As I drove back to Hamden, I realized there was a lot to look forward to. My first two weeks of settling in and learning the ropes at my jobs are now over. I feel comfortable everywhere I go, and I am excited that caddying at the New Haven Country Club begins soon. It's been fun living here in Hamden, and I can't wait for spring to stay for good. I'm taking it one day at a time, because if I've learned anything this year, it is that time goes by way too fast.