Home Sweet Home....

I am back in my home state of Massachusetts, and I am surprisingly really happy to be here. Usually I dread coming home to my small suburban town because I always run into those old high school "friends" who you haven't seen in like 5 or 6 years. And it will just so happen to be the day I go out to the store in a weird outfit, or just look like a hot mess that I see someone I know. It's like a premature class reunion minus the brand new dress I pretend I've had for years, and the bad DJ. Especially if it's one of those high school acquaintances who you knew, but weren't really that close with. Have to give the big fake "OH HEY!!! HOW ARE YOU??" The simple question dripping with nonchalant curiosity. Deep down inside we don't REALLY want to know how each other is doing, But we go through a nonverbal evaluation of who is more successful, or doing bigger things then the other person. The whole visit home is usually drama filled and annoying.
But there was something different about this Thanksgiving visit. None of that even entered my mind. I had a maturity that couldn't really care less about who I saw in the streets, or ran into at Chilli's. My one priority was my family. I felt like I hadn't seen my sisters in years. An overwhelming feeling of excitement stayed with me the whole 20+ hour drive. Like a kid on Christmas eve. Never in my life have I been more thankful for my family. This past year has taught me that when the chips are down one thing that I could really count on was my family. Before this new change in my life my family knew nothing about the things that were going on in my life. But I am again THANKFUL that I have a family that can see me through my rough spots, not judge me and appreciate my honesty. My sisters tell me what I need to hear even if it stings a little, my parents support my life decisions. And my grandmother is steadfast in her prayers for me. So this season, I am thankful for my family, because without them, I don't know where I would be.