Home is where the heart is, but my heart is in so many places.

I flew “home” to Kansas last Wednesday for some Thanksgiving celebrating. My bubble was ready to burst with excitement when I woke up Wednesday morning! I tried to stifle myself, and kept it from popping:) Landing in Kansas City and randomly seeing an old friend from elementary school—that also lives in Chicago— set the tone for my whole trip. It was all about reconnecting…oh, and great food!

I felt like a teenager again driving down the country road that first night. The stars were out and my radio blasting. I treasured the open spaces, the familiar smell of my house (ozone and wedding cakes), getting to drive a car, paying $1.50 for ice cream, giving hugs, the sunsets, gosh SO many things. It is interesting how certain sights, smells, tastes, stir up nostalgia. I loved reminiscing about old memories and also creating new ones.

I cooked breakfast for dinner on Friday night and invited lots of people over. At one point I had to grab something out of the car and was amazed at the picture I saw walking back to the house. Dusk was turning to night, when the stars just start to twinkle, you know. Silhouettes of the people milling around inside combined with the sounds of good conversation and laughter (it was my sister-in-law, Sara’s) made it look like a fun party to be at. And I helped put it all together! It made me even more thankful to go inside with the smell of orange bread french toast where everything I had seen outside was amplified.

Flying back to the Windy City today I was exhausted.  In a strange way I feel like I’m back home. I couldn’t wait to get into my pajamas, watch a little afternoon football, and fall asleep in my beyond-comfy-fluffy-white bed! It was so nice to go to Kansas, but now my life is in Chicago. My heart is in the colors of a Kansas sunset, it’s in the beautiful city lights, it’s in a good laugh with a friend, no matter what part of the world I’m in.

Is it okay to claim more than one home? I think so. Happy Thanksgiving!