Dear Rach, my oh my, what beautiful words you have shared. At 18 I left my birth home and never returned. I did not long for it. We never had what I would call home. My husband and I traveled throughout Europe and the States for his jobs. His never ending jobs. There was nowhere, that we lived, that felt like home. @TashaJun speaks of Shalomsick. A longing for something, somewhere that you can’t imagine. And now I have fernweh. I am still longing. I long for the sea. I long for the home I stumbled across, of my own, and I knew that I was finally home. And then, yet another move. I have grieved, sobbed, screamed, etc. because once again I am not home. I am old. I will never return to my heart home. The pain is palpable. I ache. I long for home and I long for the sea. I am both shalomsick and fernweh. Thank you friend for words that speak to my spirit. As always, grateful. Susan
I feel every word of this. I, too, love the way Tasha Jun speaks of Shalomsick. After all your loving and losing and moving, I hope you are able to find places that feel like home. I've been considering, lately, the idea of being at home within yourself. It's such a power anchor to hold onto . . . that even if we cannot return home or cannot find it, we can be at home without selves. I wish that or you, Susan. And I wish new adventures, with people and places, to meet you in your longings. Grateful, too : )
Oh Rachel, thank you for this. I wish for you, the same. And I look forward to your future words on home within ourselves. Enjoy your visit to the seaside. I am so pleased for you. You are loved. 🙏🏼🕯️🕊️🩶❤️🩹
Dear Rach, me again. I made the previous comment about myself and I apologize for not including you. I am so pleased for you that you are going to the seashore. If your heart desires cry for you to return home, then I am pleased for you. I am hoping that sadness does not accompany you. Enjoy your moments because they become your memories. You are loved 🥹🙏🏼🕯️🕊️❤️🩹🩶
This made me smile when I first read it. You are the kindest, and I throughly enjoyed reading your comment and had no thoughts of myself while doing so. Always appreciate when you unpack what's in that loving heart of yours. Can't wait to share of my travels here—will cherish every minute of every moment.
I’ve been yearning to return to Radford, Virginia. It’s where I earned my second bachelor’s degree in music in music therapy at Radford University. It’s where I became extremely ill and found my second family. Radford is nestled in the southwest tip of Virginia. Known as the new river valley~Radford, Christiansburg and Blacksburg.
It’s a place that holds lots of memories. Where I was completely on my own, a six hour drive from home and was trying to find myself.
I was ill when I moved there and remained ill until I started my music therapy internship in Maryland. In Radford, I found a second family~my church family. Complete strangers who befriended me and took me under their wing. They took me to doctor’s appointments, drove to class when I couldn’t drive because I had broke my foot, prepared food for me and invited me not just into their hearts yet also their homes.
I in turn sang in the church choir, provided special music and became involved in the life of the church~a small white chapel off a main road. Full of love, kindness and acceptance.
It’s been about ten years since I’ve traveled to Virginia. I’m feeling a strong pull to re-establish my relationships with my Virginia church family and thank them again, in person, for providing for me those many years ago.
Laura, it certainly sounds like you are due for a visit. The way this place calls to you, perhaps it's not just about the past and the people . . . but maybe there is something new for you to learn and appreciate.
I've been through Blacksburg before—it's a cute, quaint special place. I hope you go!
Dear Rach, my oh my, what beautiful words you have shared. At 18 I left my birth home and never returned. I did not long for it. We never had what I would call home. My husband and I traveled throughout Europe and the States for his jobs. His never ending jobs. There was nowhere, that we lived, that felt like home. @TashaJun speaks of Shalomsick. A longing for something, somewhere that you can’t imagine. And now I have fernweh. I am still longing. I long for the sea. I long for the home I stumbled across, of my own, and I knew that I was finally home. And then, yet another move. I have grieved, sobbed, screamed, etc. because once again I am not home. I am old. I will never return to my heart home. The pain is palpable. I ache. I long for home and I long for the sea. I am both shalomsick and fernweh. Thank you friend for words that speak to my spirit. As always, grateful. Susan
I feel every word of this. I, too, love the way Tasha Jun speaks of Shalomsick. After all your loving and losing and moving, I hope you are able to find places that feel like home. I've been considering, lately, the idea of being at home within yourself. It's such a power anchor to hold onto . . . that even if we cannot return home or cannot find it, we can be at home without selves. I wish that or you, Susan. And I wish new adventures, with people and places, to meet you in your longings. Grateful, too : )
Oh Rachel, thank you for this. I wish for you, the same. And I look forward to your future words on home within ourselves. Enjoy your visit to the seaside. I am so pleased for you. You are loved. 🙏🏼🕯️🕊️🩶❤️🩹
I will enjoy, and bring back treasure to share. Thanks for the wishes. Happy weekend, dearest Susan!
Dear Rach, me again. I made the previous comment about myself and I apologize for not including you. I am so pleased for you that you are going to the seashore. If your heart desires cry for you to return home, then I am pleased for you. I am hoping that sadness does not accompany you. Enjoy your moments because they become your memories. You are loved 🥹🙏🏼🕯️🕊️❤️🩹🩶
This made me smile when I first read it. You are the kindest, and I throughly enjoyed reading your comment and had no thoughts of myself while doing so. Always appreciate when you unpack what's in that loving heart of yours. Can't wait to share of my travels here—will cherish every minute of every moment.
Dear Rachel,
I’ve been yearning to return to Radford, Virginia. It’s where I earned my second bachelor’s degree in music in music therapy at Radford University. It’s where I became extremely ill and found my second family. Radford is nestled in the southwest tip of Virginia. Known as the new river valley~Radford, Christiansburg and Blacksburg.
It’s a place that holds lots of memories. Where I was completely on my own, a six hour drive from home and was trying to find myself.
I was ill when I moved there and remained ill until I started my music therapy internship in Maryland. In Radford, I found a second family~my church family. Complete strangers who befriended me and took me under their wing. They took me to doctor’s appointments, drove to class when I couldn’t drive because I had broke my foot, prepared food for me and invited me not just into their hearts yet also their homes.
I in turn sang in the church choir, provided special music and became involved in the life of the church~a small white chapel off a main road. Full of love, kindness and acceptance.
It’s been about ten years since I’ve traveled to Virginia. I’m feeling a strong pull to re-establish my relationships with my Virginia church family and thank them again, in person, for providing for me those many years ago.
This is lovely. Thank you for sharing.
Laura, it certainly sounds like you are due for a visit. The way this place calls to you, perhaps it's not just about the past and the people . . . but maybe there is something new for you to learn and appreciate.
I've been through Blacksburg before—it's a cute, quaint special place. I hope you go!