Grown up?

Have been away before,
but this was always home base
Not so now
I am a guest
familiar, but still
a guest

It's an odd sort of feeling
27 years old
and this is the first holiday
I feel separate from my family
not alienated, no
my own person, yes

Pulled all the gifts together
Packed for two (three?) days away
Carried the pie in my last free hand
Work -> Bus -> BART -> Car -> Home
All made it intact
I didn't need to throw the pie
at opportunistic muggers

Stressful dinner
tempered with cheap wine
that funny movie
the old, familiar jokes
music plays
as I fall asleep
on the couch