The Eyes of Texas are Upon You
About two weeks after we arrived in Boston, Kristi asked me if I was homesick for Texas.
I thought, no, of course not. I’m totally settling into the groove here and Texas is nothing but a happy memory now. I was busy with work, the weather was lovely, there were plenty of things to do. No, homesickness was for wimps.
But now, nine weeks after moving, I’m missing Texas.
I know it’s not fair to compare the city you leave behind – somewhere familiar and full of friends – with a new city that is still unknown and a bit lonely. I know, I remember, having some of these same sad lonely feelings when we moved to Texas, feeling like it would never feel like home.
I know that there is a tendency to make the place you’ve left an absolute paradise in your mind, because you aren’t there anymore, forgetting everything you didn’t love about a place (don’t you worry, Bart has not even begun to forget the fire ants).
We were watching the pilot episode of Friday Night Lights recently (yeah, yeah, I know it came out years ago) and there was a shot of the main street. I made Bart pause it, and sure enough, it was the main street of our little city just outside of Austin. There was the church that we went to caucus at last fall. There was the water tower with the donut shop underneath. There was the sidewalk I biked up and down dozens and dozens of times two summers ago on my way to and from work.
I loved Texas. I think Bart was a little shocked by how wholeheartedly I embraced Texas.
I loved the weather, I loved the Texas pride. I loved our little house – the first place we ever owned, I loved HEB (oh you know how I loved HEB), I loved the University of Texas, I loved our many, many, many good friends. I loved the airport (if you’ve ever been in the Austin airport, you should know what I’m talking about). I loved the cheap and direct flights into Las Vegas (with the two hour time difference, we could get in only an hour after departing). I loved the little local library.
I know that it just takes time. That eventually we’ll have good friends here, that I won’t feel like I have no one to call or to hang out with. That someday if we leave Boston, I’ll feel the same crushing sense of loss to be leaving a place I love.
But today is not that someday. Today, Texas is still my home, and I’m homesick.
Hi Janssen! I am delurking to say hello – I found you through Definitely RA, and I so enjoy reading your blog. My husband and I moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania two years ago, and while I know that's nothing like TX-Boston, I completely empathize with your feelings of homesickness (and still feel them from time to time). At any rate, good luck & feel better! (Also, isn't Friday Night Lights awesome?)
UGH I Miss Texas so much some days. I had one this past week. I missed knowing it would almost always be sunny and the weather agreeable (maybe hot but agreeable). I miss the tower being lit up at night. I miss HEB! sigh…
I know what you mean. Because we just moved from Los Angeles I seriously can not turn on the T.V. and watch a show with out seeing my home. I miss it, but I am really trying to love this place.
No need to feel lonely, just give me a call and we'll hang out. I'm in the same boat.
Too funny that I was scratching my foot while I was reading this post b/c I got bit by a ton of fire ants yesterday.
I know I'll miss Dallas when we leave – I can relate with the TX pride feelings.
I left Alabama 7 years ago and I still occasionally think "What? I live in South Dakota? Seriously?" I can't even put my finger on what I miss about the South (well, the BEACH) and yet I do. But I love SD too. It's so much better than they let on before you move here.
You should have seen me mourn California after our move when I was 14. It was frightening.
I think of singles moving into a city like Boston without friends and I wonder how they do it. I'm glad you have Dale to keep you company most of the time. I think it takes a good year to develop new and good friends, doesn't it?
I'm right there with you pal. And it really helped that Meleah and Ralphie called and left me a message saying they were on their way to firebowl together. Some friends : )
Amen Janssen. That's all I need to say. I hear you.
Well put. I am soon to leave a place I've lived for eight years. I can't even imagine what it will be like. Love that you found your little town highlighted in that movie! Hope the homesickness is shortlived.
I definitely could have written this very post (substituting NYC or Utah for Texas and Vegas for Boston…)
Yeah, miss those HEB warm tortillas! You would think they would have those in AZ too – but I have yet to find them!
I'll be your Boston friend!
Oh, HEB, my heart is full.
I miss my ward there. So much.
Very good post. Every place we leave, we leave a bit or quite a bit of us behind. We also take with us the warm memories, and some of the local color/culture. It is part of life, but it doesn't necessarily make it any easier. Hugs.
I'm sorry you're homesick! Especially with moving so far away from Texas, that's hard! Hang in there 🙂
P.S. It's ok if you want a cannoli not because I'm there but because you want one yourself. 😉
P.S.S. Thank you for the sweet compliment about my hair! Made my day!
Thinking of you! I still get bouts of homesickness for DC – nearly six years later.
Oh HEB my love. I miss it so much! Utah just doesn't get it. Haha. Great food. The tender sushi man that makes things in his little booth. The Grillers. Ahh. The friendly signs and lay out. The deli. The squares of cake they sell. Why oh why oh why. Haha. I kind of like food…
Sorry, Janssen. Maybe another canolli (I don't know how to spell!) will help. Or a new pair of shoes. Tell Bart I said it was a good idea 🙂
oh, i'm sorry sweetie. i feel that way about st. george every time we drive through. it just felt like "home" and it was hard to leave. but you're right, with a little time, you'll be loving boston! 🙂
i love reading your blog. you're so great at expressing your thoughts…
have a good week!