Being “home” always seems strange to me. Seeing people I haven’t seen in a while, remembering random things from the past. I ran into an old friend today. He and his brother are twins and I saw them both and was still able to tell them apart, they are identical, I was very surprised with myself. I really cared about these guys when we were in school. Something that frustrates me is when people have so much potential but they get into drugs and other such things. The brother that I was closer to was very much into drugs, he was in a band and I would go see them play and I was friends with most of the guys in the band. Friday nights my church would open up the youth room so people could come “jam” together so we would all hang out and play guitar. I was always on his case about his drug use, I am a worrier. Every once in a while over the years I have thought about where he might be and pray that he is doing well. Today I was able to talk to him briefly, enough to find out that he is starting basic training for the Navy soon. As much as I disagree with war and military, there is something to be said for him going because to me that says he is doing well. It was really good to see him, even just briefly.
All this being said, I also had a conversation today with a friend of mine who I guess I have been friends with for about 5 years now. He asked me if I was coming back for the summer before I start grad school. That had never even crossed my mind. My response to him was probably stronger than it needed to be, but it was basically no, I probably won’t ever come back to live. I really do like Richmond. I like the people I have met and the things they care about. I like that I feel like I could make a difference in the city and that I have continually put myself out of my comfort zone. I like that there are things to do in Richmond but it is very casual and laid back. I like that somehow everyone I have met seems to know at least someone else I have met. I like that I didn’t grow up with anyone there, but I still have friends that are tied to home and friends that are from college. I also have some extended family around. It is the perfect culmination of where my life journey has been leading me and where I come from. I may not stay there forever I know, but I don’t intend to move back to the suburbs of Baltimore…well, it’s somewhere in between suburbs and country, but I’m not coming back if I can help it.
This week will be a lot of visiting. I spent time with my family today, we went to West Virginia for brunch. I think my families brunch experience criteria is it has to be at least an hour away, we have to drive down at least one dirt road, we have to pass lots of cows, and on the way home we have to go a completely different way than the way we come and essentially say things like, “I don’t know which way we should go we need to be near that mountain over there.” As much as I think it’s crazy and at times I complain about it, I secretly love it. We passed some beautiful scenery. It made me want to do things like go hiking and kayaking. I wish people didn’t have to work this week.
