Can I start out on the negatives today? Is that okay? Alright. You know what sucks about moving really, really far away? You can’t call your mom when you feel like it. Because when you feel like it, she’s asleep. Because it’s nighttime there. Forget getting off work and calling one of your friends or siblings to vent about the day. Because they’re all asleep!
It’s really hard moving. Yes, it’s an adventure, and every day is filled with new experiences that I don’t regret having. And we have met some really awesome people here. But I can’t seem to shake missing everything about home. I just miss it. It’s a bit of a shock realizing that life goes on when you move away: people get married, they get engaged, kids get bigger, your siblings visit your parents without you… I want to put a ban on anyone having any fun until we get back!
I called my parents the other day. It was my lunch break, so I knew it was approaching bedtime for them, but I also knew that in reality, they’d probably be up watching Hoarders or Toddlers and Tiaras. (They were up, although I’m not sure what they were watching.)
“So do you think you’ll live there forever?” asked my dad, a little too nonchalantly.
I replied, “No way! This isn’t home.”
“Well I’ve always kinda thought that… home is where you are.”
Oh, dad, with your wise words. He’s always been so adaptable and up for anything. Those words have been following me for the past week, and they’re comforting.
Home is where you are.
I guess I can live with that.
August 26, 2012 at 12:28 am
22 years ago I left Seattle for Portland. I know: Not a huge distance or change. Still, whenever I’m back in Seattle, it feels like home in a way that Portland still doesn’t. And I feel a sort of homesickness. Yet, Portland is home, too. I think home is where the people you love most are. And because of that, I guess I think we can have more than one home. I don’t know you other than through your blog, but I suspect that if you went “home” for a visit without Stan, you’d miss your home in Australia. Read another blogger’s take on home this week that you might like: http://revolutionfromhome.com/2012/08/home-is-where-the-heart-is-or-was-or-will-be-eventually/
Take care–
August 28, 2012 at 11:39 pm
Thanks Rita! You always have good places to send me.
August 28, 2012 at 12:16 am
I totally feel your angst. The only suggestion I have is to schedule a time to call home when it will be less inconvient for everyone. I bet every member of your family and your posse will stay up later or get up earlier to chat with you.
It isn’t spontaneous but it certainly is better than waiting for the mailman to come.
Miss you much!
August 28, 2012 at 11:40 pm
Aww, thanks Ronda. I’ve been doing that with my sister and it is awesome. I even find myself looking forward to Monday mornings, which is a very rare scenario!
September 1, 2012 at 5:24 pm
Hi friend, boy I think of you a lot. I think you and I are in the same boat but that isn’t true, not really. I did move 13 hrs from my family and friends to a place that is beautiful and full of adventure and you left for a 13 hr plane ride home. Either way, we miss or home. I don’t know if we are ever going back and I don’t know if that is ok with me. For now make a paper chain of when you are moving back home, lame I know. Either way keep up the honesty it is good to hear from you, good or bad. Love you
September 2, 2012 at 2:29 am
Um, you know you can call me at whatever time day or night!
September 6, 2012 at 11:28 pm
I like this post…simple, but good š
February 23, 2013 at 11:08 am
Amanda! I was just reading an old blog post and came across one of your comments. I hope you are well!