Visiting Kent

It's funny how you take some things for granted.

For example, living in Kent for two years is something I took for granted.

Now living at home has its perks. Access to cable and a decent TV...internet that only cuts out 1/4th of the time instead of 1/2 of the time (and when it does I can actually DO something about it instead of just waiting around). I'm closer to my friends from high school (the whole 2 that I still talk to, Allie and Debbie). My piano which I haven't been able to really play for two years and ALL of my books that didn't make the move to Kent with me.

But Kent was home for two years and I miss it dearly.

And not in the same way I miss Ashland.

I've been thinking about this all morning/afternoon. I've come to the conclusion that Ashland is what helped to shape my life...but Kent is where I became who I'm meant to be. Ashland sent me on the path to student affairs and working with students, but Kent gave me the power to actually do that.

The fact that the end of my time in Ashland was not the best part of my life, probably isn't helping my memory of the place.

Anyways. I've only been gone from Kent for about 3 weeks...but a few nights ago I made the spur of the moment decision to drive back and visit.

I am very thankful that I have a mentor in Kent who is willing to let me come down and bother him when I'm having the kind of day I was having on Wednesday and who will let me talk to him about my life for 3 hours.

When I got home on Wednesday evening I felt refreshed in a way I hadn't felt since I had left Kent.

And sitting at Rays eating dinner with Beth and Matt made me feel like I had never left.

Being home is great. But Kent is where I healed, where I grew up, and where I became who I now am. The place will always be a comfort to me, and being able to go back, even if just for a few hours, made me feel 100% better about my life.

Things since then seem to be looking up.

I'll be back soon, Kent. I promise.