We’ve spent a full two years away from home at this point. Last year, 2017, we traveled out West and lived in Arizona, Washington and California. This year, 2018, we have lived in Florida and West Virginia. Summerville, SC has always been home. When I worked in Charleston before traveling, my patients would often ask me if I was from Charleston. My answer was always the same- yes, born and raised. I was born here went to school here and I had never left here. Now it feels like life has been divided into ‘life before travel’ and ‘life while traveling’.
Coming home almost feels strange. Life has a way of going on with or without you present. The kids have grown, friends and relatives have passed away, people have married and divorced. Life is always changing, never staying the same. I think you come back home expecting things to be the same, but they aren’t. Maybe that is what feels strange. Things change and I wasn’t present to observe it or participate in it. And then home doesn’t quite feel as home used to.
I find myself referring to West Virginia as home. It is not the place that I am from, but it is the place I currently live with my husband and children and therefore, is currently our home. The people I work with have certainly made me feel as if I were one of them and I feel a part of the team. It will be a sad day, for sure, when I have to move to my next assignment. It’s a great group of people I have the privilege to work with.
My time in SC has been good- filled with time spent with family and friends. Christmas at home will always be special and always hold fond memories,
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