Home Sweet Home
(I think I should preface this post by stating that I started my period yeseterday. Yuck. I hadn’t had one for over 19 months and all of a sudden…. I am a woman again… emotional and all.)
Home is such a weird word. What does it really mean? Is it really “where the heart is” or is it something else?
When I lived in Paris I would refer to home as my apartment or back in the states with family. Now that I am in the states, I am missing my home in Paris I am not only referring to my little apartment (although I do think that is part of it), but more to the streets I would walk everyday on my way to meet a friend or get a baguette or buy groceries. I am referring to the walking down the metro steps to catch a metro to go to the other side of the city.
Home is also sitting at Place Verte with Justin and drinking an iced tea or getting their salad buffet (which is a zillion times better than an American buffet salad!!!!!!). Home is just spending amazing time (almost too much time) with Justin and Maisie…going for walks and exploring new parks in the city. Home is a banana nutella crepe with sprinkled coconut. Home is also avoiding dog poop on the sidewalk. Home is pretty fountains hiding in little crevices of the city. Home is shoving people out of your way to make it onto the metro before the doors close. Home is little old ladies smiling at Maisie or telling me what I am doing wrong in a language I cannot understand. Home is walking all the time…rain or shine or snow or whatever else the weather may bring! Home is where Maisie spent the first 9 months of her life. Home is where she was born. Home is where we brought her to sleep the first time in her own bed (or shall I say in our bed…oops). Home is where we made amazing friendships that will last a lifetime. Right now, home feels like Paris and I miss it so much it hurts.
Jen I am sooooo with you on this one! I miss Paris too. I am glad to read this post. Hope you are adjusting somewhat to life back in the good ole USA.
even though you stole my post, you said it better than I would. But I am with you and missing our days in Paris. and our life there too.
Isn’t it amazing how God can transform any place and make it home when you are in His will! I love hearing how God has transformed you and changed your heart for the mission field. You amaze me and challenge me! Way to go! Do you feel like a nomad right now? Wandering from place to place? That would be hard. Love ya and praying for you. Say hello to Sac town for me.. still missing my old home at times. Okay, really just miss some friends and the cooler weather.. Bishop’s pumpkin Patch.
You are an amazing writer. I so admire you for your open-mindedness to be in the place to be open to God’s leading. After having been in Paris I can totally see how you could miss it. It’s such a cool place and so different from the states. The nice thing is this: God is everywhere you are!! We have been blessed to have you here in Portland. This last week will fly by! I’m so sorry about shrinking your shirts. I’ll try and make it up to you.
I had to chuckle at Ann shrinking your shirts…Oh Ann, do you know how many times I’ve done that? Jen, in a strange way, it does my heart good to hear that your perception of Paris is so much more than a temporary place you used to live. I know you love the lifestyle there, and it will be so interesting/amazing/insightful to see where God is going to plop you down next! Guess we all have that longing for that special someplace…my longing is often Oregon…not always, but it’s there. Can’t wait to see you!
Oh, Jen…I have to say that this post made me tear up a bit. Partly because my heart understands longing for “home” whatever/wherever that might be. Partly because I am envious of the experiences you have had, and can only dream that one day I will experience the place you fell in love with. Partly because I feel so blessed to have had you here where my home is lately. I hope you know that God has great plans for your little family wherever your next home may be. And selfishly I am not done with you yet, so a big part of me hopes you land here! I promise not to EVER tell you that you are making parenting mistakes (but if I do decide to criticize I will do so in my best french accent). I will try to learn to make yummy crepes. You can wander through the poop land mines in my back yard any time. My front porch is almost a Parisian cafe and you can share an iced tea or coffee with me there whenever you feel so inclined. I am sorry for your feelings of loss and pain, but I believe that the next chapter in your life will be just as amazing as the last.
Svest….for some reason, once you have children, every place you are with them seems sad to leave from. I am sure there were sad moments, moving from places with just Justin…but children seem to magnify that. Every home has nook and crannies full of amazing memories…whether you liked the place you lived or not. Though I have my difficulties with Colorado, in a sense, It would be sad to go only because of the beautiful memories I have had here. Moving is so weird. It’s like you shed a part of life, and a new one forms. I can’t wait to see where your new memories will begin! Love you!