Home

We have been in Milwaukee for about three weeks at this point. It's hard to believe as time seems to fly by, while simultaneously drag on. On Fridays, our clinic is closed, but for a few patients who come in and see specialists. The quiet of the basement leaves a lot of time for reflection on the events of the week.

Fridays will most likely become my blogging day, so you'll get what you get as my mind wanders in my office.

Today, for many reasons, I have been thinking about home. My mom woke me up this morning with the sad news that one of our family dogs had died. I was expecting the call soon, but still wished more than anything that I could be home with my family this morning. As I hung up the phone, my roommate came in the room, made me breakfast, and comforted me in my home in Milwaukee. Soon after, I talked with my roommate in Seattle about moving out of our home there. After all of my roommates left this morning and I was feeling lonely, I followed my heart to the clinic where I work even though I wasn't expected yet. I wanted to engage with the community here that has already embraced me and made me feel at home.

The events and conversations of this morning have left me sad and tired, but also energized in love. On our orientation retreat a month ago, someone came and spoke to us about engaging in our neighborhoods and the world around us this year. He said something along the lines of "The reason I am sad I leave a place is because I know I have gotten there". I have thought a lot about that this morning as I exist between the many homes I have made. It is a balancing act that illustrates how full and blessed my life has been. I feel sad today because I have lived and loved in so many places. I have been lucky enough to fully engage and arrive in so many places.

Rather than focus on the difficulty of this kind of existence and balance, my goal today is to live in constant gratitude for it. I might not always find the perfect balance, but my heart is full of love for each of my homes and the people that make them up.


 "If anybody asks you where your coming from
Say love, say for me love"- The Avett Brothers