A few months back, I took a solo vacation back to San Francisco. When the plane landed at SFO, the man in the next seat turned to me and asked "So, is this home for you?" A seemingly simple question, but for me it brought a real emotional pang. In that I don't live there, I suppose the simple answer would be "no, this isn't home for me."
In reality, it feels more like home than any other place on earth. After living in the Bay Area for 17 years and having virtually every meaningful life experience there, mostly with people who still live there, how could any other place possibly compete for the moniker of 'home.'
After moving to Boulder last summer, I quickly set about the task of turning our house into a home, busying myself with some small construction projects, decorating, landscaping. This kept me busy enough to distract me from the bigger challenge - moving physically and setting up shop was one thing, moving emotionally has proven a bigger task. In many ways, I guess it's comparable to breaking up with someone, but trying to leave the door open for a future relationship. How to continue to appreciate your ex, while looking for and being open to a new relationship. We don't know how long we'll end up staying in Boulder, and in my heart I know that at some point we'll end up back in San Francisco either full or part-time, but right now my challenge is figuring out how to move on and fully embrace our new home.
Great post.
Having spent the first 20 years of my life in San Francisco, I wonder if I'll EVER be able to call somewhere else home. I just don't know if it's emotionally possible to have a "break up" with such a sexy city.
Posted by: Ben Casnocha | June 12, 2007 at 10:11 AM