You Are Home To Me

“Everybody has to leave, everybody has to leave their home
 and come back so they can love it again for all new reasons.”
- Donald Miller    
Through Painted Deserts

One thing I have learned lately is sometimes you need a break. Sometimes you don't realize you need a break. You can be out in the hot sun all day long working and feel like you don't need water, but at the end of the day you're going to wish you had taken that break. This weekend has been the break that I didn't know I needed, and it has turned out to be the water for my soul. On Thursday, I got a chance to share many laughs with a co-worker at Moe's and then had the night to myself. I didn't realize how much I just needed a night alone. But that was just the beginning of the most wonderful break.

I spent the morning with this sweet soul: 

Though her heart stays close to mine, I have missed quality time with her throughout the summer. It was so nice to just drift down the river and share laughs and stories again. This kind of break was one that my heart has needed since August. 

Tonight I shared the stars with an old friend. We chatted about future plans, and swapped E.R. stories for camp stories. We commented on how far we've come since South Africa and reveled in the memories that have been on our minds since our return. I always enjoy seeing him because we don't have to be doing anything to have a good time. He's one of the people that I could just sit and talk to for hours. His heart is one that stays close to mine on a daily basis.

Tomorrow I will meet Imani for tacos. I'm sure there will be laughs and stories and talks that just make my boots a little bit lighter. Being away from her for so long is not any easy thing. Her guidance, her wisdom, and her ability to sit and listen to all thats on my mind has amazed me for so long and I cannot wait to be in her company again. 

And Sunday I will get to see my littles again. I know I see them every Sunday, but I have a feeling in the weeks to come I won't be seeing much of their sweet faces. Their hugs and smiles mean so much to me. 

These people all mean so much to me. I've been restless without them. Even being 45 minutes away feels like a million miles. I wasn't actually expecting to have this much time off this weekend. and to be honest I thought that I would head back to camp early because sometimes I just can't stand to be away from the family that I have found myself in up at New Frontiers. But this weekend was the water I didn't think I needed. Now, I get to spend some serious quality time with the souls who knew my heart long before I did. It's not every day I get to see them and love on them and sometimes its a long way, but they will always find a way back to me. they are home to me. They don't love you like I love you.

-Em