Sweet Home Chicago

I suppose I was slightly unkind in my lack of posting to let you all know I had survived Venezuela and made it home ok. I've been here in Chicago since early June with the exception of a little trip to Pennsylvania to visit some friends, and a trip to Mexico which I will soon be speaking about. The reality of being back is now setting in on me and opening up the opportunity for me to think a little more about the implications of a trip like this. I still do not know completely how this trip has shaped and transformed me, but I know that it has. I know that I have grown in patience, in joy, in vulnerability, in trust, and in faith. I look at the world not just at a side view or even an aerial view, but with all angles in consideration. This is both a physical and a mental reality. I however, find this reality harder and harder to live into each day I am home. I find it incredible how easy it is to get wrapped up in the routines of suburban life. Each day I work at reminding myself of all of the beauty that lays before me: of the friendships, the forests, the freedom of mobility, of family, my dogs, and even the cleanly cut bushes and flowers that accessorize both homes and offices. I at times find myself driving on interstate 88 thinking about my trip as if it was some sort of dream instead of a reality. My mind finds it hard to grasp that I have been to all of these beautiful places, done so many amazing things, and met so many incredible people. I miss deeply meeting new people each day, and not knowing where I would lay my head each night. I miss passionate conversation and unbounded freedom and I wonder why I can't have that here. But the truth is that I can have that here and that life here is not that much different than life down there, it is all just a matter of what I CHOOSE to do with it, whether or not I allow myself to be imprisoned by routine and boredom, or activated by adventure. Do not permit yourself to be fooled, no one but us decides how we live each day. Sometimes I catch myself on autopilot headed towards home and I entertain the idea of taking a random trip to the beach or to the mountains, and the moment I pull in my driveway I remember that there is a time for all things. This is my time to be home, to love my family, to kick it with my friends, and to allow responsibilities into my life. It is a time for birthdays, baseball games, motorcycle rides, rock climbing, and abundant food. I now have 3 weeks left of summer until my responsibilities switch and I begin my last year at Westminster College. And boy do I look forward to the challenge and adventure that returning to academic and athletic life will bring, but for now I smile with the people I'm with and anticipate the arrival of good friends. I hope you do the same.