deep in the heart

I didn't miss home until I arrived here.
It feels so right to be back where BBQ, George Strait and burning hot temperatures are a way of life.

Texas has been good to me the past week that I've been home. I was thrilled that I made it in time to celebrate one of my best friend and roommate's 21st birthdays with some of the girls who mean the most to me. I've missed long chats with my elderly "grandpa" across the street and my brother's silly, often ridiculous, jokes.

It's strange being in Dallas for more than a month during the summer and I think it's my first time since about middle school in between kamp, mission trips and traveling.

And for the first time ever, I just want to stay home for a bit. I started my summer internship at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children where I get to work alongside some really passionate people who are striving to help children through their differences. I even went shopping for business pants today. Weird.

I'm trying to sort through all my thoughts and emotions and ideas about this past semester and I've come to one conclusion which is: that experience was 100% unique. It was a time that can never be recreated because even if I were to revisit Grenoble, it was actually the people who made my semester so special.

It was Maggie from Michigan, Marjorie from Maryland, les filles- Zamzam, Danica, Rachel and Loren. Two of the sweetest guys I've ever met, Chris and Isaac. The "business" crew. Cicily and Catherine- my market, picnic, skiing and movie buddies. Precious Val from Cancun. Papa Patrick, The Kieser's, all the random cats that were always following me around. Most of all, Clo, Eva and Mateo. My French family who hopefully realizes that they still have a piece of my heart back with them on Rue Nicolas Chorier on the top floor apartment.

I'm afraid Miriam Adeney was correct when she wrote that "you will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place." 

Two of my fondest memories will always be the two different old men in a restaurant in Prague and in a hostel in Killarney, Ireland who sand "Deep in the Heart of Texas" for me.

It's good to be back; Texas, I think it's time to get reacquainted.