Soul-Bits of Home

 I’ve been finding ways to give my soul little experiences of home.  It’s almost impossible to know when the soul will crave these comforts and I often think I am angry or tired before I realize I just miss home.  Jeni has learned to respond to my bad moods by telling me to connect back to my roots.  While we have lived in Spain, we have found some easy and powerful ways to do this together.

     The first thing is the most obvious and it is one I refuse to go without.  I video call my parents every week. And I ring my brother, sister, Mom Mom, and Gramdma to pull them into the call.   Everyone knows that at my 4pm, hometown’s 10am, little brother's 10pm, there’s a video call coming. Whoever can talk picks up.  And if I have to miss the scheduled time I try to call home early for a shorter talk.  The increase in my emotional health from these calls is wild!

     And then there is food. Recipes from home and ingredients from home give me strong memories of my past and make me feel like I can still be the me that my family raised while I am far away.  I started cooking much more when I left the country and bringing a sense of home has been a big motivator.  I make my mom’s lasagna recipe, her cheesy chicken dish, and sometimes cheeseburger soup.  Jeni makes me my family’s pot pie recipe on days she knows I need a little extra care.  She also loves to bring sensations of her home through our kitchen. Her home recipes include flour tortillas and plátanos.  And hot sauces carefully carried in visitors’ suitcases.

     For two years I have used another tie I never expected to lean on - U.S. sports.  Jeni and I subscribed to the NFL season through a European broadcasting service and we watch my hometown team.  It’s brand new for Jeni, and she’s quickly become very knowledgeable about the sport.  It’s a tradition older than me on my side of the family, but I never really joined in until I came to Spain.  It’s been a blast enjoying the seasons and celebrating with my Dad when our team conquers.

     These soul-bits make a massive change in my well-being.  They keep me in better spirits and give energy to share with my wife and daughter and the people in my community.  My need for them has been a surprising part of my move abroad.  I challenge you to reflect on the soul-bits you are using to bless your life and to consider if there are some you need to add.