Homesickness

When I was young, I used to get homesick all the time. I rarely spent the whole night at sleepovers. I would have my mom come pick me up so I could be home and safe in my own bed. I hated when I had to spend a week at a relative's house while my parents were away. But at some point between then and now, my homesick feelings took a complete turn-around.

Right now, I have a home--as in, a house where my parents live. But I spend less than 3 weeks per year at this home. Really, where is my home? Sometimes it's at college. Sometimes it's at camp. Right now it's in Peru. And I love that about my life. I never get homesick anymore because I'm always just adding to the "homes" in my life.

But I do get people-sick. Naturally, I miss the people I love when I'm not with them. But it's more of a "I'm so glad this person is in my life and I would love to have him/her here with me" kind of missing.

I also find myself missing silly things about home. For example, I really miss driving in my car with the windows up and the music as loud as I can handle it. This is perhaps my favorite time to sing. I haven't had a chance to sing at the top of my lungs since I've been here.

Ironically, I was driving home from the beach today with my host family. We were listening to some Latin American music (which of course, I've learned to love) with the windows down and the wind blowing in. And I was thinking about how much I will miss moments like that.

So home or not, windows up or windows down, it's great that I don't have to choose. I can love Peru and Wisconsin. I can love silence and noise. I can love being near and far. And what a blessing it is to be able to have both in the same life!

Yes. Life is good.