Home is Where the Heart is?

Not cooking is so strange to my lifestyle.  I have to think about what to blog about.  So while I was driving today to College Station to visit with an old friend, I started to think.

Looking at the Central Texas landscape reminded me how beautiful Texas really is.  We come and go on trips, not really slowing down all that much to take notice.  So today while I was driving I noticed.  And it sort of made me sentimental for my birth state.

The Little River in Cameron, Texas

Now, we left Texas in 2004. I cannot believe its been that long ago, but Brandon started his PhD at UD in 2004.  That was the last time we were 'offically' current Texas residents.  But we still say everytime we come back that we're coming 'home'.  But what does that mean?

Home to me means family, friends, familiar things (i.e. food, culture), and comfort.  So if I look at Texas is that still 'home' to me?  This is a toughy.  I had this conversation with my friend Jess today at lunch.  When she was going through some personal issues, her mom told her to drop everything in Texas and move to be with her in Connecticut.  Now, her mom hadn't lived near her in 4 years and Jess had been doing fine herself where she was - she had developed her support system around her.  Texas was home.  She felt comfort there and knew that even if her immediate family was not, her friends (that were pretty much her family) were.  She made the decision to stay - and from talking to her I'm pretty sure she's glad she made that decision.

So while I was driving today looking at the dry-brittle landscape I thought, do I still think this is home?  But honestly the only thing I could think about was my friends in Delaware, who were my family for 6 years, who saw the start of my family and the birth of JJ and MJ, who had us over for holiday meals, who supported us whenever we needed it.  I miss them - and I think that's where my heart truely still is. 

JJ & I picking pumpkins in Townsend, Delaware, September 2009

At the same time I see the transition moving to Mississippi.  I see friendships forming, new bonds being established with some wonderful people.  I see our family starting to take to a routine and adjust to the interesting lifestyle that MS has to offer.  And its honestly not as bad I thought it was going to be.  Now, if you asked me this in January I would have never been close to this.  But we are progressing in the right direction and I'm happy things are looking up.

Is Texas awesome? Yes.  Would I move back here?  In a heartbeat.  I am thankful though for the experiences we have had, in Delaware and so far in Mississippi.  We don't know what the future has to offer, but I have realized that even though you live somewhere it doesn't mean your heart is there.  And sometimes your heart never leaves places even though you move on.  Its about the relationships you create and how you spend your time each place you go.  Make the most of each opportunity and don't look back.