12.8.11 - Home is Oregon AND Indiana

Caleb and I ran a few errands tonight and got to chatting while in the car. We talked about school, how he hates studying for his finals next week, how his class is going to win the food drive, and other small talk stuff. Then we sat in quiet for a few minutes in the car before he turned to me and said, "Dad, I want to go home."

"We need to pick up your sister first." I reminded him.

"No, I mean, I want to go home to Oregon. I miss everyone." He clarified.

I told him I agreed and we'd see everyone soon enough. He began to rattle off all the things he wants to do during our next trip and we laughed about how most of them revolved around eating. I was nervous of his potential answer to my next question, "Caleb, do you think we should move back? Would you want to do that?"

Silence...

"I don't think so Dad. I love to visit and miss all our family back there, but I like Indiana. There’s lots of good stuff for us here."

We continued to talk more about our life in Indiana compared to what we think it would be like in Oregon.  Five years we've lived in the Hoosier state and those 10 minutes of conversation were probably the most sincere I have heard any of my kids talk about how their feelings related to living in Indiana vs. missing Oregon.  At the center of what is right and good for us in Indiana are the relationships we have made over the past five years - the same thing that draws us back home to Oregon!  I miss our family terribly, especially around the holidays, but I am very grateful that our family has found another home here in Indiana.  At the center of our home here in Indiana is still our family, just a different kind.  Our family here is not related by bloodlines, but they have come along side us in our journey through life and are part of our extended family – special people who make a positive difference in our lives.

I guess the lesson for me is that while my heart and mind drift home to Oregon during holidays, I don't want to forget to acknowledge how grateful I am to the family we have in Indiana as well and how special they make our lives in the mid-west.  Mahalo nui loa to you all. :-)