Home: Where Will it be Next?

Do you remember the first time you went back home for a break from school, and suddenly it hit you; home wasn't home anymore. That happened to me this past weekend. Only I didn't go back to my parent's house, the place where I spent all of my childhood and adolescent years. Instead this venture "back" was to my old stomping grounds at Grace College.

Strangely enough, I spent no time on campus. I looked out a window to the welcome sign. I peered out my car, remember the days of turning in student teaching journals to Mount Memorial. I gazed at the lawn which I had walked so many times traveling to and from classes. I remembered, all the memories of years gone past.

And it hit me. As I sat surrounded by friends who live near and far away, listening to the music of those I graduated with, this was no longer my home away from home.

For so long, for so many years, I envisioned and pictured my life after college as one established in the community that I was growing found and a part of. Others recognized this as well, or else I wouldn't have received the senior superlative of "Most Likely to Raise a Family in Warsaw." And yet, that's not where my life has taken me. And sitting there, with the bass of the music pulsating through my body, I understood that I was no longer one who belonged to this place. My life has moved on.

Later in the evening, as a group of us sat around a table munching on chips and salsa and sipping margaritas, I was confronted with another sad reality. One of those sitting at the table, whom I had not seen in over a year, asked if I had any friends where I was living. Blinking once, then twice, I had to respond with an answer, not only to the one who asked the question, but to myself. No. I do not have any friends where I currently reside.

Now that's not saying much, the town where I live has a population of just over 3000, and the average age is 30+. However, coming from a town 7 X's greater than this... it's a little depressing. And so I'm left to wonder... what will happen to me if I stay here?

I don't know what the future will hold. But I do know that I will continue to teach. That, is something that I know I am called to do. Where, is a question I will continue to ask, so that someday soon, I will know where home will be next.