most of you know what i've been up to because i saw your pretty faces a week ago in illinois. but it has been a fast and settling month. october 1st seems like last week and now it is already halloween!
the week or so that i've been back has been packed: yoga, apple cider, movie night, hiking, cleaning, haunted house meetings, sorting, and planning, running, guests in and out, and so much more. its getting cold here and the pretty leaves are making their beds on the ground :(( which only means a dark and damp winter is just around the corner. i'm layering up, drinking lots of hot chocolate, and watching too many sports that i don't really care about.
this month i feel like i've been settled and comfortable. my short, but sweet trip to the midwest was reassuring. although leaving and adjusting to alderson again was challenging, now that i am into the swing of things again, i think i am more satisfied here.
as i exited union station in chicago, feelings of unfamiliarity and uneasiness surprised me . in four short months the details of my city that i was recently confidently proclaiming have escaped me. i hate that i couldn't remember if monroe was north of jackson, that i stuttered when telling allie's cross-streets to the cabdriver, and that i confused clark for broadway... but i love that kids in alderson call me by name and that guests know im insecure when left to serve a meal without kathleen. as difficult as missing people and places in the midwest is, i really loved telling people about the hospitality house. walking you through my experiences helped me confirm why it is important that im here and explore what im learning from alderson.
ive been thinking about all of the relational elements of my life. i feel like there are several compartments that are related but so distant from each other: home or school, lincoln park or freeburg, suburbs or uptown, san francisco or denver.. i stay in touch with people around the world, hearing about their jobs and school, their city transportation and new bike, their plans and fears. there are these little pockets all over that have something or someone i love.
and now alderson, west virginia is quickly becoming a place that means friends and security and home. its another place that i'll most likely drive 10 hours to visit and be disappointed when im disoriented by the once familiar street names.
miss and love xoxo
(photos of mom and i on the road to illinois and hiking with the crew last week)
*not explained in this post is kayla, a new volunteer at the house.
