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| What is home? “A roof to keep out the rain? Four walls to keep out the wind? Floors to keep out the cold? Yes, but home is more than that. It is the laugh of a baby, the song of a mother, the strength of a father, warmth of loving hearts, lights from happy eyes, kindness, loyalty, comradeship. Home is first school and first church for young ones, where they learn what is right, what is good, and what is kind, where they go for comfort when they are hurt or sick; where joy is shared and sorrow eased; where fathers and mothers are respected and loved, where children are wanted; where the simplest food is good enough for kings because it is earned; where money is not as important as loving-kindness; where even the tea kettle sings from happiness. That is home. God bless it!” -Author unknown |
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines homesickness as, "...longing for home and family while absent from them."
I am entering my last full week of volunteering at the hospital and orphanage in Romania. I will work Monday-Wednesday of next week, as well, but I will be boarding a plane on Thursday the 30th to begin my journey home.
Two months in a foreign country is not enough time for me to become homesick in the sense of being distraught to the point of shedding tears. Rather than producing distress, two months spent 5,647 miles from familiar surroundings has provided a new perspective, a deeper appreciation for life, and a reminder to be unceasingly thankful to God. Going far away, wherever that may be, forces me to take stock of what really matters. It also sheds light on the good moments back home I often take for granted simply because they happen every day right in front of me.
Rather than being homesick, I feel homegrateful, a word I made up to describe all that is peaceful and right in my small corner of the world. There is bad, to be certain, but such is life. Sing the beauty of the good instead.
Far away helps me appreciate:
- Afternoons spent sitting on the front porch with my grandparents, eating a snack or sipping lemonade. We watch the hummingbirds and comment on the chameleons scampering along the windowsill. I grew up 16 hours, and then 10, away from my Florida grandparents. Now I live on their property and get to see them every day. I hope they know how much their companionship means to me, and how deeply thankful I am to have this time together.
-My hometown (as of December 2013) in Florida---I grew up visiting my grandparents in the town where my mom spent her childhood, but never did I dream I would someday move there. Even 1 1/2 years later, I still find myself walking around the lakeyard or exploring tidal pools along the coast with a huge smile on my face, completely amazed that I somehow ended up living in my favorite place on earth.
-The library--I knew I had settled down and was considered a local when about six months after my move, I walked through the door, and the librarians greeted me by first name, and I was able to respond with their first names, as well. They know what I enjoy reading, and often recommend books. They were kind to my preschool classes every Wednesday and Friday when we would walk there for story time. They encouraged my littles to sing and dance, surrounded by bookshelves. We grown-ups even joined the fun!
-The beach--I love living there instead of visiting once or twice a year. Some of the vendors at the Seaside Farmers' Market recognize me now, no longer a tourist, but a loyal customer. It is good to belong. I never felt that in the town where I grew up, so now at 27, I enjoy every minute.
-Family and friends--They are supportive, laugh-out-loud funny, compassionate, dreamers, hard workers, faithful, and trustworthy. I love them.
-Taco Bell, Cracker Barrel, York Peppermint Patties, sushi, Mexican food, strawberry milkshakes at Tastee-Freeze (local hamburger place), fresh seafood, fried okra, my mom's homemade biscuits and sausage-milk gravy. Far away makes me appreciate familiar food. Okay, I'll admit, I am longing for a bean burrito. Seriously. Taco Bell will be my first stop after landing at the airport in Memphis.
-My American Bulldog--I appreciate her loyalty, companionship, joyful spirit, and willingness to ride shotgun on road trips.
-Cell phone service--Far away makes me grateful for the convenience of picking up my phone and calling someone when I'm stateside. Random texts and conversations come to a screeching halt when it costs $30 every minute.
-Air conditioning--It has been 90-95 degrees. Ceiling fans do not exist here, either. No further explanation needed.
-Last, but certainly not least, far away helps me appreciate my church family. Gathering with them every Sunday and Wednesday provides encouragement and accountability that cannot be found anywhere else. While overseas, I watch the Sunday service via Skype. I lose count of all the hugs exchanged.
Any homesickness that creeps up is allayed when I look around and see Romanian families playing with their children at the park. My spirit calms down with the understanding that foreign-to-me places are beloved hometowns and countries for others, just as the United States of America is special in my life.
Rather than being homesick, I feel homegrateful, a word I made up to describe all that is peaceful and right in my small corner of the world. There is bad, to be certain, but such is life. Sing the beauty of the good instead.
Far away helps me appreciate:
- Afternoons spent sitting on the front porch with my grandparents, eating a snack or sipping lemonade. We watch the hummingbirds and comment on the chameleons scampering along the windowsill. I grew up 16 hours, and then 10, away from my Florida grandparents. Now I live on their property and get to see them every day. I hope they know how much their companionship means to me, and how deeply thankful I am to have this time together.
-My hometown (as of December 2013) in Florida---I grew up visiting my grandparents in the town where my mom spent her childhood, but never did I dream I would someday move there. Even 1 1/2 years later, I still find myself walking around the lakeyard or exploring tidal pools along the coast with a huge smile on my face, completely amazed that I somehow ended up living in my favorite place on earth.
-The library--I knew I had settled down and was considered a local when about six months after my move, I walked through the door, and the librarians greeted me by first name, and I was able to respond with their first names, as well. They know what I enjoy reading, and often recommend books. They were kind to my preschool classes every Wednesday and Friday when we would walk there for story time. They encouraged my littles to sing and dance, surrounded by bookshelves. We grown-ups even joined the fun!
-The beach--I love living there instead of visiting once or twice a year. Some of the vendors at the Seaside Farmers' Market recognize me now, no longer a tourist, but a loyal customer. It is good to belong. I never felt that in the town where I grew up, so now at 27, I enjoy every minute.
-Family and friends--They are supportive, laugh-out-loud funny, compassionate, dreamers, hard workers, faithful, and trustworthy. I love them.
-Taco Bell, Cracker Barrel, York Peppermint Patties, sushi, Mexican food, strawberry milkshakes at Tastee-Freeze (local hamburger place), fresh seafood, fried okra, my mom's homemade biscuits and sausage-milk gravy. Far away makes me appreciate familiar food. Okay, I'll admit, I am longing for a bean burrito. Seriously. Taco Bell will be my first stop after landing at the airport in Memphis.
-My American Bulldog--I appreciate her loyalty, companionship, joyful spirit, and willingness to ride shotgun on road trips.
-Cell phone service--Far away makes me grateful for the convenience of picking up my phone and calling someone when I'm stateside. Random texts and conversations come to a screeching halt when it costs $30 every minute.
-Air conditioning--It has been 90-95 degrees. Ceiling fans do not exist here, either. No further explanation needed.
-Last, but certainly not least, far away helps me appreciate my church family. Gathering with them every Sunday and Wednesday provides encouragement and accountability that cannot be found anywhere else. While overseas, I watch the Sunday service via Skype. I lose count of all the hugs exchanged.
Any homesickness that creeps up is allayed when I look around and see Romanian families playing with their children at the park. My spirit calms down with the understanding that foreign-to-me places are beloved hometowns and countries for others, just as the United States of America is special in my life.
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