Thoughts on Going "Home"
japra | Jan 06, 2009 | Comments 18
View from our hotel room.
Ten days. It didn’t sound that long when we were planning it, but our schedule was so tightly packed that it seemed like we had been in Texas for about a month by the time we left on New Year’s day.
Some visiting highlights included:
- five days with my parents (and my mother’s amazing cooking!). Poor Dad was sick (fever) for most of the time we were there, though.
- a lovely Christmas Eve lunch with my in-laws (and having time to visit with our older nephew–we haven’t seen him in almost two years!)
- Christmas dinner get-together with my in-laws and my sister-in-law’s family
- a heartwarming visit with Roxi’s “twin” (close friend from age 2) and his family who drove from San Antonio to see us. XO
- a lovely luncheon with my extended family and my cousin N–another dear one I haven’t seen in nearly two years.
- a cozy coffee with dear Mimsy. I am sure I hadn’t seen her in at least three years!
- a small get-together with Roxi’s friends.
- a New Year’s Eve supper with my youngest brother-in-law and his family.
Having lots of family and a lifetime of friends in one place is a blessing, but unless we had one huge party, there was just no way we could have seen everyone. I wonder how other people plan visits home?
Normally I dislike blow up Christmas lawn “ornaments”, but I have to admit this one was pretty cool. The reindeer went around inside that thing. I am not positive, but I am pretty sure you would never see something like this in England.
We were supposed to have stayed the last five days of our vacation with my in-laws in their temporary home. Unfortunately, after the first night, my mother-in-law woke up with a stomach virus, which was making its way around our extended families. We decided to move to a hotel in the old ‘hood and hope for the best. Thank goodness the bug didn’t check in with us, or worse, join us on the plane ride back to England. What misery that would have been.
I miss the big, blue Texas sky and the oak trees. Photo by Roxi on her new camera (Casio Elixim EX-Z80).
So, here’s the biggest thing that surprised me: I was homesick! I’m not saying this lightly. I’m talking heartsick-homesick, like back to square one. It was much harder to say goodbye to everyone this time. It felt like I was leaving them forever, even my parents who I know are already planning their trip to visit us here in six months.
This is Interstate 10 (East-West). It is 20 lanes from one side of the feeder road to the other. That is significantly wider than it was when we left two years ago.
As much as I complained about my hometown when I lived there, I really missed it. Apparently I was the only one who felt this way as Mr. DJ and Roxi breathed a sigh of relief when we got back to our “home” here in England. Maybe I was over-tired, or perhaps it was the mild weather, my lack of allergies or just not being in Texas for a year. Whatever it was, I sure was happy to be “home”–even for just a little while.
I took this photo to remind me how unattractive “home” can be much of the time.
Filed Under: Blog
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
Oh, I felt the same way both this trip home and the one years ago when we lived abroad and came home. I think there is so much subtle anxiety and constant alert when one lives abroad to say and do the right thing, to be understood, to represent the USA in a good light to counteract the bad publicity, to keep our children happy and un-homesick, that we are under constant and maybe unrecognized stress. To go home to the familiar is so comfortable.
This Christmas, going home from OH to CA and seeing my brothers that I love so much, made me want to live out our days near loved ones, but my children are spread all over the states and that is not going to happen. Oh! and the sunny warm days were also beckoning.
Ginny–I am sure you are right. Also, I think I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see everyone we wanted to see. There was just no way it was going to happen in one trip. And then I know a lot of people were disappointed that we only got to see them for such a short time or only once. Oh the guilt!!!
From that angle, I’d say your hotel was in the Medical Center/ Rice / West U area.
I have always been a fan of Houston. Yes, it’s sprawling and in desperate need of better public transportation, but it is a friendly city, and there is a lot of beauty, if you know where to look.
I know what you mean about trying to squeeze in everything in a short time frame. Even when I spend a week, I can’t see or do all I want. I guess quality of quantity can be an obtainable goal.
I was probably there the same time you were.
:)
what a lovely holiday, no wonder you’re homesick. -5C weather also doesn’t help! stay warm. I layer my clothes, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt and fleece pants.
BSR–Close! We were in the Galleria area. I think you hit the nail on the head with the “friendly” comment. People are nice here, but it’s not the same.
Christine–Fleece trousers! I think I need some. I was looking online at Uggs today. I swore I would never get any, but I have two pairs of thick socks on today and my toes are still cold. Even if Spring comes in six weeks, 42 days of warm toes sounds heavenly ;-)
It must be so hard to say goodbye to your family. :(
At least you have your parents visit to look forward to! :)
Oh, I hope you aren’t sick!!
I completely empathize with you about the homesick. I don’t know when you get to stay home, but when I was at college and came home for the first weekend back, I thought I was going to go crazy! I was ready to drop out and stay home. It’s very hard.
Be good to yourself!
It was hard for me to be even just 2 hours away from my son and his family. Now, they’re 20 minutes away and I want them even closer. Living abroad is a brave and wonderful experience for you guys, but there’s no place like home.
Happy Birthday JaPRA and welcome back! That’s not snow down there, is it?
Your vacation sounds packed with fun, no wonder you feel blue. On our first English sabbatical I came back halfway for a friend’s wedding, and it was harder leaving that second time. This last sabbatical, even though it was a full year, I knew better than to return. It’s sort of like going someplace hot during winter – it feels even colder when you get back.
I send a warm hug. Believe me, you’ll be missing England when you are back home.
Sounds like an action-packed trip! And what fun to see that Roxi is taking after you in her photography!
I wish you the best in this new year! Hope your heart can heal soon from the homesickness. I know how you feel.
Akelamalu–It is hard! There’s so much that we’ve missed. Still, it was good to see them, and yes, I can look forward to seeing my parents again soon :-)
Chris–Ah, well. I’m glad to know I’m in good company.
Laurie–We were terribly spoiled living so close to all our family.
Sarah–Yes! That is exactly how I feel! And yes, that is snow on the ground. Most of it melted the first day, but we still have patches on the ground. I checked the thermometer outside my kitchen window last night before I went to bed and it said 19 F. Brr!
Alyson–I love seeing Roxi’s photos and videos. She is more daring than I! Thanks for the homesick sympathy. I know you know what I mean.
I get homesick all the time. I think I need to follow your lead and find some pics of gray, cold days to remind me of the reason I moved to Florida in the first place.
Have a wonderful new year.
Rebecca
I’m glad you had a terrific trip home. I TOTALLY understand the homesickness. When I went back home this summer (Canada), I ended up extending the trip TWICE and stayed a MONTH and I still wasn’t ready to leave!
That last picture – so Houston highway! Was that I-10 or I-59 on the way back to the airport? (Sadly, unless you see a landmark, you can hardly tell the difference.)
I’m sorry you are feeling heartsick. My children were so cut-up when we left Texas last spring; sometimes you just don’t know when it will hit.
As for cramming it all in, every single visit we triple-book our days and I always swear that I am not going to . . . but then I always do.
Rebecca–I think it is a good idea! And then you can post photos of your glorious sunny days. We’ll all be envious and tell you how lucky you are :-)
Barrie–I do remember your posts from your time home, so, I know you can truly relate. Thanks for the sympathy.
Bee–It’s I-45 North. So much of it does look like that, doesn’t it? I hate billboards. So unattractive. And isn’t it funny about homesickness striking at different times? And do you really triple book? I would have scheduled MORE visits if Mr. DJ hadn’t been there. He was starting to give me “the look” when I suggested more time out. We went for quality over quantity this time. I didn’t even get my bulk shopping done! I am going to have to ask my mom and dad to bring me stuff when they come in June.
Bee–Correction, that would be I-45 Northbound from Clear Lake.
I know what you mean about homesick…and I’m “only” a 13 hour drive away from home. But when I went to Louisiana for Christmas it was uuugglly! Now if I had gone in March or April, all of the beauty would have really made me miss it.
Anonymous Friend–Hello! I’m glad you stopped by. Azelas and sunshine and March. Yes, I hear what you’re saying :-)