Love at Home

I haven't written in a while, so I'm splitting my post into two (since I meant to write last week).

I didn't do anything extraordinarily fun while I was at home (though it was nice to be able to go out and have a drink), but the time with my friends was enjoyable, and the time with my family (including the newer members) was really meaningful. My dad and Sylvia bought a new house, and I honestly had my doubts about that at first, but after staying with them and seeing the new house and how well it holds the family together, I'm very very glad they chose to move. I spent a lot more time with my family than I usually do when I'm home, and it was a very good thing. I hope things will be a little less busy when I come home next time, so I can see more of them. I am kind of excited about seeing my new siblings and my whole family grow and change in positive ways. I also went to church with them on last Sunday, and though I was really tired (and my dad put me on the spot by making me lead a hymn!), I very much enjoyed it. I love when I go to church and hear what it is I've been needing to hear. That's how I know I'm in the right place, whether it's a Baptist or Mormon church - when God speaks to me and guides me through His word and the words of fellow believers. Incidentally, I'm starting to like going to First Baptist more now, especially after getting to know more people there.

I missed my flight back to Dallas, but I managed to not stress at all about it. And there was no need to, since I ended up on the next flight with about 30 other people. I sat at the coffee shop that's right next to the security checkpoint in the airport, and I watched people say their goodbyes or welcome friends and family. I watched a couple who sat at a table near me. The man was wearing a military uniform, and they were saying a very long goodbye. I was a little surprised when the woman went past security to depart, actually, since I assumed he was leaving for service (I forget there's a military base in El Paso). Something about seeing them and the way they interacted was really sweet, and it looked almost like a scene out of a movie. I couldn't help but think, while I sat watching people say goodbye to family members, that this was the last place I saw my mom. I wish I could have had a long goodbye like that couple had. It really brought me home, thinking about my mom. After staying with my dad and feeling grounded (in a good way) for the first time since my mom has been gone, I felt like I really knew where I came from and what made me for the first 18 years of my life. I can't ignore that (and I must admit I've tried), because where you come from has a lot to do with where you go. I want to go places, and I feel like now that I have a real home and I can embrace the things, people and places that formed my life before college, I have a launching pad from which to start. I'm excited about the direction my life will go. I don't know what direction it is, necessarily, but I know it's good.