On Home...
There's no place like home.
It was the greatest feeling in the world.
I was apprehensive about coming back Home for the holiday. I guess it's typical, though, driving back into your hometown, searching through the foggy car windows at things that may have changed - and then suddenly realizing: the only that's changed is you.
It was the greatest feeling in the world: driving down the Cross Valley after dropping Danielle off at the WB bus station Saturday evening, windows all the way down, heat blasting, Jack's Mannequin blaring as high as those speakers would allow, alone in a Cougar filled with suitcases. I think I cried and laughed at the same time. But that's life, it's real and sometimes it fucking hurts.
I drove into Dallas. I pulled into my driveway behind my mother, arms full of familiar Mr. Z's bags and even more hugs. I was greeted by a fluffy, winter-coated Cyder, galloping down the deck with a mouth full of some rope type toy. I swear Parker gets smaller everytime I see her, and she whined like a little baby as I cradled her. Dad filled me in on all the important things I've missed: dogs, birds, ticks, hunting.
I'm not going into details or recapping every waking minute of my stay here at 35 Parrish Street. I just want to say that it was the most amazing ten days I have had in a very long time. Coming back home this time was unlike any other time. I have never been so relieved to be home, even during freshmen year. I guess I was just anticipating it so much over these last few weeks. But it was so relieving, coming into a house filled with warmth, family, friends, and food. I love this place. I'm not realizing this just now, but I think I may have forgotten it.
I got very carried away last year with school. I forgot where I came from and who I loved most of all. I guess spending every waking minute at that school filled with fake people and only a few true friends, I realized the people that matter most of all, are here, right here, not at that school tucked away in the trees.
Because here I can walk into a friend's house and know exactly where the glasses are kept. Here, I don't have to ask for a drink. Here, I call Sarah's mom, Mom. Here, I have cousins to reminisce about family reunions and line cell phones up on counters filled with food. Here, I have an aunt who said yet another epic and famous Thanksgiving grace. Here, I have friends who don't talk behind my back or bother with anything petty like that.
Here, I am surrounded by my best friends: People I can reminisce about elementary school with and go on annual Christmas shopping trips with and watch embarrassing home videos of high school and laugh and talk and smile and pick up exactly where all of us left off.
17 days. 17 long days until I come home for Winter Break, a whopping 6 weeks. I really cannot wait. 10 days was not enough time to spend with cousins, family, neighbors, and best friends.
And I am so genuinely happy. I guess I just missed that completely simple thing: being truly happy.
I really really hope all of you enjoyed the holiday.
I'll leave you with a mixed tape, a soundtrack to Thanksgiving, to home, to friends, to family.
Jack's Mannequin - Dark Blue
Jack's Mannequin - I'm Ready
Jack's Mannequin - Miss Delaney
Jack's Mannequin - The Mixed Tape
Jack's Mannequin - La La La Lie
Damien Rice - 9 Crimes
Nelly Fertado - Maneater
Hilary Duff - Wake Up (haha)
Michael Buble - Home
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Acoustic - Hey Ya
The Distinguished Gentlemen - Forgive me
The Distinguished Gentlemen - Coctails
I'll be in touch.