Have you ever been homesick?The first time you left home, how did you handle it? My oldest recently got back from a week at Scout Camp, and while he had a blast, he was SO ready to be home. We visited for Family Night, and I don't think he's hugged me that much since he was about 4 years old. You could see it in his eyes, how much he ached to be back with his family. I was proud of him--making it through the week.
I was reminded of the summer I left home to work in West Yellowstone. It was a blast, but I couldn't wait until the weekly phone call with my parents, or to read their emails. When the summer ended, I returned to my parent's Taj Mahal of a house, and reveled in the loudness of my siblings. It was nice to be home.
We left our family in Utah 7 years ago, and set out for a grand adventure. We've now lived in NYC, the middle of nowhere, and a city with the second largest number of hotels in the world. (Right next to Disney, of course.) I remember going to visit the family in 2008, and as much as we enjoyed it, it wasn't home, not anymore.Home is where your heart is--and for me, that means my hubby and kids. Mine happen to live here in Florida--sunny, happy, "vacation world." But you know, I've adored all of those other places that became "home" for a season. In fact, I think there's nothing better than exploring the world--and I'm not talking about hitting tourist traps. I think it's the coolest thing ever to settle into a new environment and learn how that society functions. I honestly think that's half the reason I wanted to be an author. (Give me a good excuse to travel, will you?)
This week I'm taking off on an amazing cross-country trip, hitting New Orleans, San Antonio, Roswell (NM), Salt Lake City, St. Louis, and Nashville. So yeah, I'll be on the road--without 4G. Forgive me if I'm slow to respond, but I'll be back in two weeks and bubbling over with awesomeness to share.
Is there a place you're dying to visit? Where do you call home (literally, and in your heart)?
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We love St. Louis...make sure you eat a meal or two in The Hill, the Italian neighborhood. Our favorite restaurant there is LoRusso's. My DD lives in St. Louis and it's a cool city. Travel safe and have fun. Will email you regarding the blog help, thanks! How old was your son? Camp is so good for kids, I never felt like our DD got homesick though. She did love to tell us all about the "cool" things one does at camp.
ReplyDeletewrapingn Up June
Awesome--thanks for the suggestion! My son is 12, and while he's super independent, he has a big heart. It's hard for him to be away from anyone he really loves.
DeleteI'm originally from the Northeast - first New York, then New Jersey - but now live in FL - waves hello! - with my husband. Home is wherever he is, but I also have a soft spot in my heart for NY.
ReplyDeleteHave a great trip!
I know what you mean. After NYC and living on Lake Ontario, I'll forever love, but not miss the freezing awesomeness of the Northeast.
DeleteSo--you made the NY migration to FL too? I swear everyone in NY retires to either NC or FL. ;)
You know, as much as I complain about my hometown, it's truly where my heart lies. My husband and didn't settle here when we first married. After living away for about eight years, we decided to move back to raise our family. It was so strange how instant that sense of home came over us, despite being away for eight years.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. There's definitely something to be said about the place you grow up, eh? I worry about our kids. Where will that be for them? At least they'll have a diverse view of people, cultures and communities, eh?
DeleteNot much of a travel bug. Home is Tulsa, OK, where we have lived most of our married lives. Before that it was Arizona, but none of my family lives in the towns where I was raised or went to school. My other favorite place (which I would love to call my second home) is Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Such a cool little town and the beach is amazing.
ReplyDeleteHave a nice trip!
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Ft. Walton, eh? I'm going to have to check it out. We made it Fort Lauderdale a year ago, St. Augustine a month ago, and are planning a trip down to the Keys. I would love to own a house on the beach--just not so sure my insurance would like it. ;)
DeleteSounds like quite the trip! Happy sailing! :)
ReplyDeleteDUDE! Now that's an idea--sailing. I think I'm going to have the scientists in my basement start on a air-boat so I can sail instead of drive. ;)
DeleteI can't wait to hear about your trip. Have a great time!
ReplyDeleteWill do. *salutes*
Deletesweet post! my boys have yet to experience sleep away camp. they really need to. and we've moved a bunch, so i know what you are saying. sad to leave a home we've settled into, but a new adventure to make a different place home.
ReplyDeletebon voyage! looking forward to pics!
It's awesome, right? Moving around? Just when I start to think we'd like some consistency, I get itchy. Guess that's what the trip is about. ;)
DeleteHave fun on your road trip. My favorite part of Roswell are the lamp posts through the main drag: they're done up to look like alien heads!
ReplyDeleteHave a blast!
LOL! I'll have to get a picture of that--and yes, I'll take my ray gun too. (For blasting things.) ;)
DeleteHave fun Crystal, and can't wait for your pictures! One day I'll make it out west. And I know exactly how you feel about moving, and settling in a different place.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip!
Thanks, Kerri! Will do.
DeleteEnjoy your travels! Sounds like a great trip.
ReplyDeleteI was homesick my first semester at college. But I learned to love it, and I never really lived at home again after that. Brief stays.
That's how it goes, right? Once you leave you can never really go back. *sigh*
DeleteHave a great time on your trip!
ReplyDeleteI live in a large city right now, which I absolutely love because there's never a shortage of things to do and see. However, I grew up in a very small town, and I'll always be a small-town girl at heart. :)
I think that's a great way to be.
DeleteSounds like an awesome trip! But as Dorothy said, "there's no place like home."!!! (My husband says 'home' is where I am).
ReplyDeleteLOL. You are married to a wise man.
DeleteI spent a college Winter Session in England once -- 5 weeks. The group of students I went with were cliquish, and I was not a member of the clique. (Sad that college students still act that way.) I have never been so lonely in my life as I was those 5 weeks. I lived for every letter and postcard from my family.
ReplyDelete=( That's so sad! I hope you had some awesome experiences, regardless.
DeleteI have always had a severe case of wanderlust. Living in UT my whole life, and even my hometown probably increases that wanderlust. Too bad my hubby is such a homebody. It is a good things there are so many great books which can give me a taste of other places or I would go crazy!
ReplyDeleteI am sure you are cramming lots of family into your trip, but if you could spare an hour, I would love to get the old Holy Cheese group together for a juice and cheese tasting party. :) let me know when if you can and I will organize it all so you just show up (with kids of course!)
Amy, yes! Tuesday is open--a week from tomorrow. Yikes!
DeleteEnjoy your travels! And take lots of pics.
ReplyDeleteWill do!
DeleteHave a good trip!
ReplyDeleteBut don't fall, right? ;)
DeleteQuite a trip you have planned! That sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun. You must be sure to share whenever you get within WiFi range. We're going to miss you :)
ReplyDeleteAw! Now I feel loved. Thanks!
DeleteEnjoy your vacation! Can't wait to hear all about it - it sounds like it's going to be quite the adventure :) I'm very close to my family and where they are is where home is, so yes, I do get homesick a lot! But at least I live close enough to visit them.
ReplyDeleteThat makes a HUGE difference. Our closest family is 10 hrs away by car, so it does feel a bit like we're on our own.
DeleteI'd love to see all those places, but not willing to endure the car drive to do it! I had my share of cross-country trips when I was a child in the back-end of a station wagon. But you should enjoy your journey! :)
ReplyDeleteLOL. Yeah, station wagon traveling vs minivan with AC and amenities is a completely different story, eh? We actually have a couple audio books we're going to listen to as a family. Can't wait! =)
DeleteHave a safe trip!
ReplyDeleteHome is definitely where the heart is. I'm quite attached to my home, but that doesn't mean I don't love being in other places too, at least for a short while. :)
How wonderful! I love New Orleans. Your trip sounds amazing. Being without 4G...not so much. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this post Crystal. Yes, home is definitely where the heart is. I always love my trips back home. It's a way of recapturing magic in many ways. I love reconnecting with old places and old friends. Have an amazing trip :-)
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