I left the beautiful Bay State & City of Boston this morning, and the series of one-way tickets begins. It's official, I am "homeless" but where was home to begin with? When people ask "where are you from or where is home?," I usually like to give the short sarcastic answer of "I'm a child of the world." I semi-jokingly give that answer because I often hesitate with the long answer. I don't know if I should say West Texas because that's where I was born and raised and it's fun to tell people, "yes like the movie 'Friday Night Lights'." Or Austin? Because I'm a proud Longhorn graduate, and it's a city I strongly identify with that everyone knows on a map. Or Vietnam? Because I spent every other summer visiting and it's a huge part of who I am even though I technically never lived here. Or Boston? Because that is where I resided and spent the last seven years.
What makes a home though? For many of us, there is a physical aspect to creating a home. It's a special place that holds sentimental things and welcomes our favorite people. But the things we often remember about home is the people you share it with, a feeling of warmth, the setting to the memories you make, and the routines you create. Home is the place where you truly become yourself.
As I walked out of my apartment doors this morning for the very last time, I realized I have given up on the conventional ways we are taught in society to define the physical sense of home. And in that moment, I had never felt more at home. Home is the connection between you, and the world. It's only by stepping out of your life and into the world that you can see clearly what you deeply care about to create your sense of home. My home is what I carried inside of me. It existed in every place that I've been. It had been shaped by all the experiences, and the people who came to stay. Home was in my heart and it had been opened for those who wanted to come in.
I am Texas bound for the next few weeks to spend time with family, friends, and my love before crossing over the pond. I arrived in Houston today, and am happy to report that all of my immediate friends and family are okay. Watching Hurricane Harvey unfold from afar was truly heartbreaking. I am amazed to see all the love and support this city has received. It will still be a while until this city fully gets back on its feet so here are ways that you can help whether near or far. #hoUSton
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