home!

This past week looked very different because I spent it home in Chicago! It was a joy to get to spend time with friends and family. The greatest joy was meeting my sweet week old nephew Connor! My week was full but also restful as I spent it mostly visiting and chatting with the people I love. I visited my sister’s new home, took the train into the city to see friends, and went to many many coffeeshops with friends and family. I also shopped with my mom for the kids at the center which was a lot of fun! My suitcase is packed full of clothes and treats that I cannot wait to gift them. 

Traveling home for the first time, I was extra aware of how I live in abundance. How I live with instant gratification. How I live in comfort. How I live in a supportive loving community. How fast paced I live. How difficult it is to live in the present here. In past years when I would return from Guatemala I would spiral because of the change. However, I’ve learned how to redirect those emotions into a deep deep gratitude and a recognition of the areas in which I could cut back and help more. The little things of home brought me joy like a breezy walk, iced coffee, cozy blanket, oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, and listening to music in the car.

The transition of home and then back is difficult of course, the best way to describe it is whiplash haha but I am grateful for this past week. And at the same time looking forward to returning to the sweet simple sunny life at the center. 🙂