I’m sitting on my couch in Austin, the end of a long day. The calm before the Conference.
It’s already been an amazing trip, a decompression after the insanity of ABC’s Extreme Makeover week. Certainly much drier than it was. Not that I’m in much better shape. I forgot that 80 degrees is the norm for weather in October. So not unlike last week, I am wholly unprepared for the elements.
My own inanity aside, though, it’s good to be back home.
Home.
The entire neighborhood has been transformed since March. New residents have spruced up the houses, a welcome change from the slightly worn look of the past few years. And Mr. Wilson has transformed our backyard into something that will soon be beautiful. That hard work we put in last year is really starting to take shape.
And I have a room in my house again, a fact that I am not willing to give up. Ball State University has afford me many things: a new lease on my career, a fresh start, a wonderful community and the financial stability to keep a room for myself in Austin. Just knowing that makes my heart lighter than it already is.
I’ve known Wilson since 1996, my first post-Ohio friend. The circumstances of our meeting are best saved for another blog, or a book. It’s simply enough to say that 14 years of friendship has transformed my life in ways I could never really express. Nor need to be expressed.
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Austin has my Fortress of Solitude, a fact I’ve mentioned on these pages before. It’s my sanctuary. Away from all things bad and evil and strange.
- The longest stretch of sobriety I’ve ever had came while I lived here (although I am threatening to overtake that, thankfully).
- The best 2 adult relationships I had started here, 5 years apart.
- The best group of friends I’ve made outside my hometown are here.
I always find myself when I am here. I rediscover the parts of me that get worn, rubbed away and smeared out in the world. I don’t know what it is about this place. I don’t know if I care to know.
I’m past the point in my life where I need the answers to everything. I am simply grateful that it exists.
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Which, of course, means I’m going to answer my own unanswerable question. Because we don’t really deal with the unanswerable in our lives. We fill in the blanks. We dislike empty spaces.
Last night I had dinner with Andrea, finally giving her the Babushka doll I bought her in Prague. Jason, her husband, was still in Houston so hopefully I’ll be connecting with them on Friday.
Tonight, I had sushi (okay, I didn’t have sushi. Sushi was eaten at my table) with Cynthia, a former student from my book writing days. We laughed and shared stories. We’ve both had rocky roads for the past few years, but seem to have come out of it much better for the wear. I look forward to our many more days sharing stories.
Saturday I’ll head to Bastrop to see Austin and the family. There are no words to describe my feelings for them, and I’m far too distant to be around them as much as I need to be. Fortunately the heart doesn’t travel in things like time and space.
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Also, I replaced my beaten cowboy hat. Because the hats here are better than any place in the world. I suspect I’ll wear it in Europe next year for no other reason than I can.
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But all good things must come to an end. This blog. This trip. Not just yet, though. There are still two conference presentations to make Friday and Saturday. The Spider House to visit. Austin et al to see.
Life to be soaked in here. Renewed. Clean. And fresh.