How can one explain the excitement of returning to find a package from home? Perhaps, in context, it could be understood. Days of sickness and groggy book-reading and essay-writing led up to such a fabulous moment. Coughing deeply into the night and finding a new life on foreign soil. Attempting to nourish and create new roots, looking feverishly for comforting faces. Shaking hands, sharing stories, a mixture of freedom and anxiousness. Will everything find its place? Will everything happen as it should? And of course, it will. No matter how much stress is placed on that matter - things are as they should be. Each night I find myself feeling the joy of looking down one road, only to be introduced to a whole new possibility the next. Truly, one feels limitlessness in strange weather.
Despite my lust for change, there is an ever-present factor of fear. A longing for safety in what I once knew. Perhaps my lonesome expedition played a large factor, solely relying on my ability to seek out things alone. Distance, though, is both relevant and irrelevant. It's true that I am a few (if a thousand) miles from my family - but I'm also very close to them in a way that time or space could never define.
I opened the package, already feeling the love flow through my body. They are thinking about me too! The treasures inside pierce me to the soul. The life-time supply of mints and Chai tea! Joy! Sweatpants, a long sleeved t-shirt reveals something I'm too stubborn to: it's cold here!!! (And my family, of course, knows it). Cute boots, tights - two of my favorite things on this planet! My dad's flannel shirt and beautiful note still brings tears to my eyes. I buried my nose in it and immersed myself in the love that is my family.
Of course, the note (nice choice Ash!) was amazing as well. My mom anxiously awaits pictures of the cute boys I keep telling her about! My brother's smart-ass comment makes me laugh out loud (yes, lol applies in real life!, and yes hippie-land is all I dreamed it to be). My beautiful sister who, no doubt, played a large part in picking out the perfect possessions! My father, who I know is being plagued by work, shares his love. And Charles, who is as much part of this family as I am, always ready with a kind word.
Yesterday my program went on a field trip to the Squaxin Island Museum and Cultural Resource Center. It was amazing, and something in there stood out to me. The concept of family extended to the entire tribe. It was communal, with the support system being endless for any member. I truly feel as though my family extends beyond the common American prototype. Their love and support reaches past money or material possessions. Yes, I am very far from my family. Yes, I miss them dearly. But even through the thick forests and dark skies I can feel their love as though they are standing right next to me. They are all, truly, my heroes.
Despite my lust for change, there is an ever-present factor of fear. A longing for safety in what I once knew. Perhaps my lonesome expedition played a large factor, solely relying on my ability to seek out things alone. Distance, though, is both relevant and irrelevant. It's true that I am a few (if a thousand) miles from my family - but I'm also very close to them in a way that time or space could never define.
I opened the package, already feeling the love flow through my body. They are thinking about me too! The treasures inside pierce me to the soul. The life-time supply of mints and Chai tea! Joy! Sweatpants, a long sleeved t-shirt reveals something I'm too stubborn to: it's cold here!!! (And my family, of course, knows it). Cute boots, tights - two of my favorite things on this planet! My dad's flannel shirt and beautiful note still brings tears to my eyes. I buried my nose in it and immersed myself in the love that is my family.
Of course, the note (nice choice Ash!) was amazing as well. My mom anxiously awaits pictures of the cute boys I keep telling her about! My brother's smart-ass comment makes me laugh out loud (yes, lol applies in real life!, and yes hippie-land is all I dreamed it to be). My beautiful sister who, no doubt, played a large part in picking out the perfect possessions! My father, who I know is being plagued by work, shares his love. And Charles, who is as much part of this family as I am, always ready with a kind word.
Yesterday my program went on a field trip to the Squaxin Island Museum and Cultural Resource Center. It was amazing, and something in there stood out to me. The concept of family extended to the entire tribe. It was communal, with the support system being endless for any member. I truly feel as though my family extends beyond the common American prototype. Their love and support reaches past money or material possessions. Yes, I am very far from my family. Yes, I miss them dearly. But even through the thick forests and dark skies I can feel their love as though they are standing right next to me. They are all, truly, my heroes.
Oh Risa, this is so beautiful! I loved reading through it. I can commiserate with many of those feelings. We love you so much!!! (keep up the beautiful writing.)