My phone started ringing last night with family members calling.  First my dad called, he wanted me to know he missed me and understood why I am not there, but the lighting bugs are flying and they are my calling card. 

Then my sister Stacy called to say they were going to play poker and wished I was there.  Then Sheila called she had been Cat fishing which I love and agin she wished I was there.

You see, up until about 4 years ago I had never seen my dad or a lighting bug and did not know I had 3 other sisters.  We celebrate our finding eachother every May.  May of 2004 was the first time I laid eyes on Texas and the first time I met my Texas family. 

Since then every April or May and again in the fall I visit.  We catch up tell stories that many others have heard time and time again but they are totally new to me and mine to them.

I generally am there for Mother's Day - and tomorrow is Mother's Day - and I am in Oregon.  Oh how I want to be in Texas - I want to see the lighting bugs, hug my sisters - play poker with my brother in law and just hang out with the family.

This year with Mike being down, Oregon will have to do... maybe in the fall but I don't want to get my hopes up.

One of the great things about ActiveRain is I can always get a taste of Texas - have you noticed the great agents we have in Texas that are ActiveRain members.  Not sure where these guys were when I was thinking of moving to Texas... but sure glad I know them now - because if I did make that decision I know where to find a good agent.

Thanks all you Texas folks for giving me a slice of my home away from home.