The #resound11 prompt for Day 14 had me thinking for a long time (well, that and the other juggling I was doing…)
When did you feel most at home this year: in your life, in your space, in your career, in your skin?
I’ve only flown home on Christmas Day once – in 1999. I’ve also been lucky enough to have never lived that far from an airport (despite the fact that I hate flying with a passion). I don’t even remember the circumstances behind the trip. I only remember the drive to the airport that morning for the 6 a.m. flight. I know I drove myself there (since extended parking in Savannah) was relatively cheap back then) and I remember the fact that I only heard two songs during the trip.
One of the songs was Grover Washington, Jr.’s version of Jesu (Joy of Man’s Desiring) from Breath of Heaven – played in his honor as he’d passed away the week before. The other was Kenny Loggin’s Celebrate Me Home – a song that wasn’t exactly written for the holidays though it’s become a staple for some communities. Here’s the track:
[audio http://dresramblings.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Celebrate-Me-Home.mp3|width=625]A quick look at the song’s lyrics probably give you some framework as to what I consider home.
I felt most at home this year during the second half of the year. It wasn’t in a particular place though but in certain situations.
- New Yankee Stadium with my brother watching a Yankees vs. Red Sox game
- The front porch with Betsy on a Saturday morning during the summer
- Giordano’s splitting a pizza with Andrew Huff in Chicago
- Broome Street Bar with John & Heidi
- #wjchat
- Beers with Wade Smith just catching up on life
More important than a specific place for me now is the idea that home is where I am welcome (and feel most welcome). There were times I felt more at home running from place to place; other times it was a good book and a cat keeping me from reading it. I guess it’s the side effect of essentially living as a nomad. I’m not really sure if I can ever truly go “home” and stay there.
I guess I’m at home always looking for the next stop on the journey. I’m also comfortable with home being more of a state of mind instead of a physical place.
How about you?
Cheers.
Photo: A long blurry road. acnatta/Flickr.
