My life has been full. From the break of dawn until late into the damp midnight air, my body has been in motion, mouth moving, or brain focusing diligently. Some times all three at once. But the causes of this overly-packed lifestyle have been good ones, sometimes even wonderful.
The first is love. Love in the form of a wedding between two of my very good friends in one weeks time. Being a part of their planning and celebration is a blessing and a joy, but not without its due time and attention.
The second has been work. My transition into a new workspace (we moved offices) is now complete and I am adjusting to the lifestyle of an overly airconditioned office with no windows to the outside world. To top that off, I’ve been preparing for our presence at this weekend’s Strawberry Festival, from staffing to banners, and actually working at the event (just returning home at 10pm tonight).
The last and best thing that has filled my attention these past few weeks is my beloved sister and her baby dog Ranger. While most of the time we spent together were casual dinners or watching DVDs, her presence in my home changed my day-to-day routine. Now that she has flown home to North Dakota I find myself looking at her favorite spot to sit on the couch, her empty bedroom, and the lack of her presence filling my senses. 
Guinness dog feels it too. He has repeatedly walked into the room where Sister and Ranger slept, searching for them, and is trying to reteach himself how to be an only-child dog playing with toys by himself. Some special love and attention is sorely in need.
So while my life has technically returned back to normal, with my sister home and the Strawberry Festival in my past, I’ve grown accustomed to the new norm. When I passed the threshold, the absence of my sister’s smiling face was immediate, the uplifting energy of Ranger missing, and my heart sunk a wee bit in my chest. I sighed and made myself a hot chocolate to cope. So cheers to my returned norm, but I hope she comes home again soon.