So I’ve been thinking about home a little more than usual the past few days. Been thinking about muddy creeks, great people, good food, family, and the smell of the trees. No particular reason, I’ve just been thinking about it.

I’ve been islolated the past few weeks, between recovering from Covid and now working from home. Maybe that’s why my thoughts have turned to home more often. I actually enjoy the alone time, and I seem to get more work done from home, but my thoughts do tend to wander at times and when they do, they wander to the wild and wonderful. I talk to my mama several days a week, and we text daily. Babcia got a new coffee table and she’s pretty happy about it. She told me the other day that she was cooking pinto beans; that really made me miss home. If I’d have had any beans here at my house I’d have put them on here too. She tells me about her days, and I imagine her routine, along with my niece running in and out of her Babcia’s house. It’s hectic, but it’s home.

I thought about my best friend since childhood, and we text on a regular basis as well. We discuss her healthy struggles, her family’s health, share funny thoughts and occurences, and the most menial ideas that happen to pop into our heads. I miss that whole family, they are my second home. Her mother called to check on me when I was sick, just as my own mama would, even a she was recovering from surgery herself. That’s the kind of people they are. My friend and I might text anything from an “I miss you” to “Don’t be stupid” to “How’s the family” to “My stomach hurts from eating too much junk, what the hell is wrong with me” or “My fat pants are snug”. No subject is off the table.

I thought about my brother and sister-in-law. I know how busy their daily lives are and yet they make the time to care for so many. They keep a watchful eye over Babcia. They are raising a handful of a daughter and doing a terrific job of it. They check in on anyone who may need it. They work hard and they care a lot, and I’m so proud of them both.

More often than not, I’m thinking about my daughter. She’s a nurse and her husband is a police officer, and they are on the front lines in dealing with Covid as well as so many other dangers. I pray for their safety and happiness daily. She and I talk and text as well, about anything and everything. Our conversations go from serious to silly in seconds, and we share our struggles and accomplishments. She advises me now as much as I advise her, and I love our relationship. They’re also doing a wonderful job with my perfect grandson. He is almost three months old and I miss him so much. We video chat and I hear him vocalizing on the phone; he gets quiet when he hears me talking to him. I know he knows my voice but I wish he could see my face more often.

Home is mostly about the people, but it’s also about a beautiful place in my mind. It’s the hills, the trees, the creeks, and all the natural beauty. Every time I drive home I am reminded how breathtaking the landscape is and how proud I am to be from West Virginia. When I see that sign at the state line I smile and my heart skips a beat. I am happy. Living far away is harder some days than others. I know though that I carry West Virginia with me wherever I go. It’s in my speech and my accent. It’s in the way I treat people. It’s in the way I care. It’s in my pride and defensive attitude about my home state. I live in Florida but I am West Virginian through and through.

There is no message in this post, except to say that I love my family and friends and I miss home all the time. Don’t worry Mama, I am happy and well, but don’t ever think that I don’t miss home. It’s a part of everything I am and everything I do. I guess it’s true… you can take the girl out of West Virginia but you can’t take West Virginia out of the girl. And why would I ever want to?