Home is Where the Pieces of my Heart are

Homesick: Adjective |hom-sik| : Sad because you are away from your family and home.

Merriam-Webster really hit it home there. I don't think being homesick has anything to do with missing a physical location, but I think it has to do with missing people. Actually I know this, I know that it has everything to do with missing people, hearts, souls, loved ones. Home is whatever you make it, it is the people that make the home. I'm not sick for the home, I'm sick for the people. I'm sick for the distance between us. I'm sick for the time we are apart. I'm sick for memories I am missing. I'm sick for those smiles that could light up a room. I'm sick for that laughter, the kind that makes your stomach hurt. I'm people sick.

One year ago around this time I was in the same spot, sad because I had just left everything I knew and moved across the Country. I missed my family, I missed my friends, and I missed the view of that beautiful Mountain. Today, I am here again. But this time its worse, because I know how hard the next days will be.

I just had the most amazing summer of all time. I spent ten days in May in my home state. My gorgeous little sister picked out her wedding dress, my best friend had her bridal shower, and I spent countless hours with my entire family. At the end of June, I went to the wonderful state of Iowa for my beautiful Aunts wedding. I was able to see a lot of my family that I don't get to see that often, and I saw my parents again. I spent Fourth of July in Massachusetts at the Beach with some of my special friends. There was a quick weekend in July where I went back to that beautiful Pacific Northwest state for that same best friends bachelorette party. There was a boat party in Rhode Island and then I was back to Washington for my best friends wedding. We spent the most wonderful ten days in Eastern Washington celebrating and creating more memories than ever. Then it was back to Western Washington for two weeks of family time. I met an amazing guy who swept me completely off my feet. I threw my grandpa a surprise 65th birthday party and we had a huge crowd. My best friend from Massachusetts (and her sister) were in Washington, so naturally I took them to my favorite country bar and taught them how to line dance. My East coast besties met my West coast besties. My heart was full of love, and my brain was packed with memories. It was the most amazing summer.

I was holding back tears days before my scheduled flight. How could I leave? Countless questions from my friends, "Do you have to go?", "Can't you finish school here?". The truth was I had to go, I had to go back. Part of me was ready to go back, I needed to get back to my routine. But why did it have to be so far?

Today was the first day of school. Graduate school year two is officially in session. I am lucky to have met the most wonderful friends who support me, encourage me, love me (even when I'm not that lovable), and make living here worth all the while. I am even more lucky that I will be seeing my parents in a little over a week. Mom and Dad are coming to Boston for some tourist activity and to watch me get pinned! After a year of hard work I am finally going to be a real live nurse (after I pass the test though)!! "Home is not just one physical location. I have "homes" all over the Country. My homes are where my people are. Massachusetts is a new physical home for me. And although I'm not sure where the future is with me and the East Coast, I am happy to be here for whatever time I have.

When I think back two years ago during my grad school application phase, I was ready to leave, I was ready to go find adventure. In the last year I have found that adventure, but I know theres more adventure out there. I am learning so much about myself and learning how to be a better daughter, sister, and friend. I wish the distance wasn't 3,000 miles, but there's no going back now. So here's to being an adult, making your own decisions, missing your 'home', taking adventures, and to always looking forward. It's not an easy journey, but this route makes it the most fun. 

| "For I know the plans I have for you,"

Declares the LORD, "Plans to prosper you

and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11 |

When the homesickness kicks in, I remind myself that we all sleep under the same moon