Pierre and I took a nice afternoon walk after school . . . down our long driveway to the mailbox. Pierre was on his little, yellow electric quad, driving slowly next to Bernie and I. The birds were chirping to tell us that spring was coming.
I love this place. I will miss this place.
When we arrived in the “Land Between,” I never thought that I would enjoy dwelling here. I never thought that I would enjoy living in this place that I now call “home.”
Here are some of the many things that I will miss about this place (in no particular order) as we prepare to leave the “Land of the Familiar”:
I Already Miss . . .
Living on the same continent as my family and getting to spend time with them
Dear friends—new ones and old ones
Celebrating birthdays with family and friends
Our “Oasis of Cultures” international community group
Our boys’ friends and their sleepovers
Watching snow fall outside while I curl up next to the fireplace under my heating blanket (not driving in it!)—the “Hibernating Culture”
Blue birds and red birds (We don’t see these in France!)
Squirrels, rabbits, and ground hogs
The bunnies that live under our back porch
Roasting marshmallows and making s’mores in our fire pit
Dollar Stores—especially Dollar Tree
Going to the local gym down the street
A wonderful Christian school for our boys with amazing teachers who love them
The local bowling alley just down the street
Our daily walks down the driveway to the mailbox with Pierre and Bernie
Building snowmen and making snow angels
Our local post office clerks
Dr. Pepper and root beer—$1 large at McDonalds (ice cold!)
Wendy’s “4 for $4”
Dunkin’ Donuts maple frosted donuts
Walmart’s extensive cereal selection
Our church, kids’ club, youth group
Hazelnut coffee creamer
Spaghetti squash
Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, and every other type of “American” candy
Lysol disinfectant spray
Quality ziplock bags, Saran Wrap, and aluminum foil
Miniature golfing and ice cream at Molly’s during the warm summer months
Salvation Army’s “Family Day” (50% off) every Wednesday
Summit Diner—a tasty local hamburger joint
Driving 5 minutes to take our kids to school
NO traffic in town!
REAL Pennsylvanian Maple Syrup
Burnt sugar cake and Gobs (two Pennsylvanian favorites)
Our favorite Japanese restaurant and Japanese server
Walking around the track while the boys have soccer practice
Indoor soccer leagues during the bitter cold winter months
Peace and quiet in the countryside
Hearing my wind chimes on the back porch
Having access to our favorite TV shows
Lazy Sundays watching American football games on TV
REAL Barbecue!
Our beautiful blooming flower trees
“Deer
spottin “ in the countryside and seeing deer in our yard
This Place Called ‘Home’
I love this place, and I will miss this place . . . this “Land of the Familiar.”
As we move to the “Land of Unknown,” I believe that one day I will love that place too. Although our new land will be foreign and different at first, as I dwell there for awhile . . . I will come to call it “home.”
Until then, I will enjoy these last days in the “Land of the Familiar.”
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
Here’s another list of “My Favorite Things From Around the World.”
Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you ever lived in a “Land Between” that you didn’t think you could ever call “home”? Then, in the end, you settled in that place and fell in love with it? How did that happen? What changed?
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures!” Write about them in the comment box below.
