When We Talk of Home

When you speak of home, what words come out?

When I speak of home, my home now, it is not with a whole lot of fondness. Because I'm smack dab in the middle of it. I take the same two streets, maybe three on an adventurous day, and that's just so...discouraging. Dull. Drab. Uck.

If I want to go out? I have two coffee shop options in Siloam (be prepared for all students). Or I have a coffee shop in Springdale. Woo.

Sometimes I just feel so damn stuck in this awful, awful hamster wheel life.

And then, I have a conversation with one of my students.
And, in telling them a bit of my own 17 year old heart, I fall back in love with my 23 year old life.

The message:

 "Eeeeek! I'm so excited Jamie. I called my best friends this morning [to tell them I made my college decision] and they're super excited too!...I think the thing that got me the most is when I was talking to [my future roommate (who, ironically is the sister of my own freshman year roommate)] last week and she said, 'JBU is home.' I don't think any other combination of words can describe my heart at this moment. Thanks for letting me freak out in pure excitement and joy on you!"

My response:

"I could not understand that feeling more.
I felt it too a long time ago. And now.
From the second I stepped onto campus, I knew it. When I was your age, I was unsure of a lot of things, but I was sure of JBU.
It's the reason why I came back from Europe.
JBU, Siloam Springs, is the place you want to build your bookshelves, the place you want to unpack your life for the long-haul.
And no matter where you go, no matter what you do after, it will always be your home." 

I meant it.
This is my home.
Here's to seeing your home through the eyes of another and re-learning how to love.